Trump Greenland Tariffs Davos 2026: A High-Stakes Geopolitical Gambit

He's heading to Davos for handshakes, but he's carrying tariffs in his suitcase. President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs on European countries on January 18, 2026, a calculated move to pressure them over his long-standing desire to acquire Greenland. The timing is no accident, as the President prepares to travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

The Strategy Behind Trump Greenland Tariffs Davos 2026

According to reports from NPR, the administration is using trade leverage to force a conversation that most European leaders have previously dismissed as non-negotiable. By slapping tariffs on key European exports, Trump aims to disrupt the status quo and bring the Greenland acquisition back to the center of the global stage. European officials have expressed deep concern, signaling that tensions will be exceptionally high during the summit in Switzerland.

A Tense Atmosphere at the World Economic Forum

The upcoming Davos meeting was originally intended to focus on global cooperation, but Trump's latest bombshell ensures that transactional diplomacy will dominate the agenda. While the U.S. maintains that these tariffs are necessary for national interests, European allies view the move as an affront to territorial sovereignty and international trade norms.