President Donald Trump will address the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21. He is expected to promote his America First policies and present the United States as the world’s “most successful” country before an audience of the globe’s wealthiest and most influential leaders.
Tensions with European allies over Greenland, however, have taken center stage at this year’s gathering in the Alpine village. Before departing for the summit, Trump expressed confidence that NATO and the United States would reach a deal on the Arctic island that benefits all parties.
“I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House on Jan. 20.
Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland.
“We need it for national security and even world security,” he said. “It’s very important.”
The forum is taking place amid growing tensions between Trump and several European leaders. In recent days, Trump has stepped up his criticism of NATO allies, stating that the alliance would not have survived without his contributions.
“No single person, or President, has done more for NATO than President Donald J. Trump,” he wrote on Truth Social. “If I didn’t come along, there would be no NATO right now!!! It would have been in the ash heap of History. Sad, but TRUE!!!”
On Jan. 17, Trump announced plans to impose 10 percent tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland until a deal is struck to acquire the island. The tariff threat came after these NATO allies sent small contingents of military personnel to the island.
Trump said he would have “a lot of meetings” in Davos focused on Greenland.
When asked about how far he is willing to go to acquire the territory, he responded, “You’ll find out.”
His stance on Greenland and tariff threats has drawn criticism from European leaders attending the Davos summit. 📺 Watch NTD News 24/7 on cable, broadcast, and streaming: https://www.ntd.com/watch
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Next, President Trump. As we say, just landing in Switzerland as tensions with European leaders
are high over his moves to take Greenland. He'll soon address the World Economic Forum
and we'll bring that to you live. But before departing Washington,
he stopped in at the White House briefing room to tout the first year of his second term.
We go now live to NTD's Washington correspondent Mari Otsu,
who's in Davos for the President's address later today.
Mari, good morning. Good to see you there. What a beautiful vista to look out on.
What can we expect from President Trump in Davos today?
Sure. Good morning to you guys too, Steph and Carrie in New York. I think it's actually
maybe warmer here than it is in New York today. And that's right. President Trump yesterday,
it marked a year since he first returned to the White House for his second term,
and he's certainly showing no signs of slowing down. As you said,
just moments ago, he arrived in Zurich and now he's en route to Davos, where he'll be addressing
the World Economic Forum today. He's expected to preview some of his upcoming economic policies
for this year. And earlier this month, President Trump also teased that he'll be announcing some
new housing and affordability proposals here at the forum. That's as he called on Congress
to codify a banning institutional investors from buying single family homes. And actually on his
way last night, he signed an executive order doing just that. So he says he aims to make
home ownership more available for everyday Americans. And as President Trump arrives
in Switzerland, it's also amid rising tensions with European leaders over the fate of Greenland.
The president's not backing down on his bid to take Greenland for national security reasons,
as he's citing threats from both Russia and China in the Arctic. Take a look.
We have to have it. They have to have this done. Let's put it this way. It's going to be a very
interesting Davos. In recent years, the Chinese communist regime has been developing its commercial
and military capabilities in the Arctic. If you take a look outside of Greenland right now,
there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and bigger.
Over the weekend, President Trump said he would impose 10 percent tariffs on Denmark
and seven other European countries, including France and the UK,
until a deal is struck to acquire the island. He's also sharply criticizing the UK over its plan to
hand over ownership of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Guess who is behind Mauritius?
The Chinese. So we needed to own that island, but the Brits are giving it up.
Meanwhile, the White House touting the first year of President Trump's second term.
Look, we have the hottest country in the world.
I think God is very proud of the job I've done. And that includes for religion.
From securing the border and cracking down on crime to expanding the U.S.'s
production of rare earths to curb reliance on China.
Nationwide, over the last 11 months, achieved the largest reduction in violent
crime on record, including the largest one year drop in murders ever recorded.
Internationally, President Trump highlights his pursuit of peace through strength,
using tariffs and trade to broker peace deals.
If they take those tariffs away, China will eat our lunch.
I hope the Supreme Court does the right thing for our country.
Multiple armed conflicts were brought to an end, including between India and Pakistan,
Cambodia and Thailand, and the Congo and Rwanda. And one of his highest profile achievements,
a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, leading to the return of nearly all Israeli hostages.
The momentous breakthrough that we're here to celebrate tonight is more than the
end of the war in Gaza. It's with God's help. It'll be the new beginning for
an entire beautiful Middle East.
In June, President Trump ordered Operation Midnight Hammer,
precision strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. And just a few days after the new year,
the U.S. military captured former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
We built Venezuela's oil industry with American talent, drive and skill.
And the socialist regime stole it from us during those previous administrations and
they stole it through force. We want peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela.
And on the second and final day of his Davos trip tomorrow,
President Trump is expected to participate in a Board of Peace meeting.
That's about phase two of that U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal
between Israel and Hamas to stop the war in Gaza.
Now President Trump's currently chair of that board and other board members include his son-in-law
Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff.
President Trump's also invited dozens of other nations to be a part of that board,
including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
and the French President Emmanuel Macron.
And yesterday, President Trump said that the board might even replace the United Nations.
Stephen Carey, back to you guys.
Thank you, Mario. And I do see on the screen here,
President Trump getting off the plane in Zurich. So it's all happening and underway.
We look forward to more updates from you.
NTD congressional Washington correspondent Mario Otu, thank you so much.
