As world leaders gather in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump is doubling down on his bid for Greenland. Trump publicly posted a private text message from French President Emmanuel Macron questioning his push to take control of the semiautonomous Danish territory, while also threatening new tariffs on European allies that oppose his plans.
In the text, Macron tells Trump that France and the U.S. are “totally in line on Syria” and can “do great things on Iran.” But, he added, “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” before offering to organize a G7 meeting and a dinner in Paris to “build great things” together.
Thirteen minutes later after sharing Macron’s text, Trump posted what appeared to be an AI-generated meme showing him planting an American flag on Greenland. A sign declares the island to be “U.S. Territory. Est. 2026.”
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Why Macron’s Greenland text is raising tensions
Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland — through a purchase or, perhaps, by force — has turned the World Economic Forum in Davos into what The Washington Post describes as an emergency diplomatic summit among European leaders. They are already frustrated by new U.S. tariff threats aimed at countries that resist what Trump has called “complete and total control” of the Arctic island.
Trump has framed Greenland as essential for U.S. and global security, warning that China and Russia could exploit any perceived weakness by European allies. Denmark and other European countries say the only threat to Greenland comes from the U.S.
How allies are reacting to Trump’s tariffs
Macron has called Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland “unacceptable,” and CNN quoted a source close to the French leader as saying using tariffs to influence French foreign policy is “unacceptable and ineffective”.
Trump has criticized Macron for reportedly declining to join his new “Board of Peace” on Gaza, telling reporters that “nobody wants him” and raising the prospect of a 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne in retaliation.
CNBC reports Trump has tied tariff threats to both Greenland and participation in the U.N.-endorsed “Board of Peace.” Invitations have gone to leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, Starmer spoke with Trump after calls with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Reuters reported. Starmer told Trump that “applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is wrong,” and his office said he stressed that security in the High North is a priority for all NATO members to protect Euro-Atlantic interests.
Von der Leyen has also accused Trump of violating a recent trade deal by threatening punitive levies on countries that oppose his Greenland plans. She promised an “unflinching united and proportional response,” according to The Post.
Trump’s Greenland push at Davos
Trump has continued to publicly press his case for taking control of Greenland, telling reporters he plans to “have” the island and that European leaders “can’t protect it.” Trump questioned Denmark’s historic claim to the territory, arguing that a centuries-old voyage in which Danish explorers landed on the island “doesn’t give you title to property.”
Trump has also argued online that Britain’s decision last year to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius is an act of “GREAT STUPIDITY” and proof that Greenland “has to be acquired.” The British government points out that an air base on the Chagos’ Diego Garcia base will remain under joint U.S.-U.K. control.
At Davos, the United States has mounted what The Post calls its largest and most senior delegation ever, anchored by a prominent “USA House” on the town’s main street. The large presence underscores how central Trump’s agenda — including Greenland and new tariffs — has become to the forum. European officials are using the gathering to search for what Finnish President Alexander Stubb described as an “off-ramp” that could strengthen Arctic security while lowering tensions over Greenland.
What could happen next at Davos and beyond
Trump wrote online that he had a “very good” phone call with Rutte, the NATO head, about Greenland and had agreed to a meeting of “the various parties” in Davos.
He is scheduled to deliver a speech on Wednesday and to host a charter-signing ceremony for countries that join his Board of Peace. European governments are weighing retaliatory tariffs and broader countermeasures if the U.S. follows through on threats to impose tariffs linked to Greenland.
