Trump ruffles feathers at Davos, posing an uncertain future for NATO

Madeline Dabbah | 29th January 2026 | Comment, International
Trump's actions are throwing the global order into an age of uncertainty (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Trump's actions are throwing the global order into an age of uncertainty (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump’s shifting Greenland strategy at Davos unsettles NATO, strains transatlantic trust, and leaves the UK balancing sovereignty principles against alliance stability

With no initial indication of backing down, President Trump appeared set on seizing Greenland. Just hours before his journey to Davos for the World Economic Forum, the American president spoke at a White House press briefing, refusing to elaborate on his plan to annex the autonomous Danish territory. “You’ll find out,” Trump replied when questioned about how far he would be willing to go to acquire Greenland. Threatening European NATO allies — including the UK and Denmark, among six others — with his on-again, off-again tariffs, the US president positioned the occupation of Greenland as an intimidation measure. His lengthy speech at Davos later confirmed that the proposed annexation was little more than an act of diplomatic fearmongering. “That’s probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force,” Trump said after declaring his change of plan. “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” the president added. Following Davos, Tr...

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