World Economic Forum 2026: Trump Roasts Europe In Davos, Calls Nations 'Stupid' | NATO

During his January 21, 2026, address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump delivered pointed and provocative remarks targeting the European Union and Denmark over the ongoing Greenland dispute. He criticised Europe as weakened and unable to adequately defend itself or its territories, drawing historical parallels to World War II when Denmark fell quickly to Germany and the US stepped in to protect Greenland at high cost. Trump emphasised the need for "strong allies, not seriously weakened ones," framed Greenland's security as a critical national issue for the U.S. and NATO, and guilt-tripped Europe by claiming that without American intervention, many would be "speaking German and a little Japanese." He called the postwar decision to return Greenland to Denmark "stupid," portraying the EU as ungrateful and careless despite US historical sacrifices to safeguard the territory for Denmark. 

Trump's comments escalated tensions at Davos, turning the forum into what observers described as a "dissing session" against the EU, in which he stripped away diplomatic niceties by labeling European capabilities as weak and implying that the continent owes its freedom to American protection. However, he later claimed progress toward a "perfect deal" with the NATO chief and announced plans to remove threatened tariffs on Greenland-related issues, suggesting negotiations could yield a framework for US interests in the Arctic without force, though his earlier shade-throwing raised questions about whether European leaders would concede to US demands amid the public humiliation and ongoing sovereignty concerns.