type: timeline_event
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump delivered a widely-watched speech threatening tariffs on eight NATO members—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland—in retaliation for defending Greenland's sovereignty. He announced tariffs starting at 10% in February and rising to 25% in June.
Trump told the assembled global elite: "We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won't give it. We've never asked for anything else... So, they have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no and we will remember." He added that while the U.S. would be "unstoppable" with force, "I won't use force."
Trump blasted Europe as "not recognizable" in a "very negative way," criticizing mass migration and government spending. He mocked French President Emmanuel Macron for wearing sunglasses at the forum, asking "What the hell happened?" He attacked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, stating "Canada lives because of the United States."
Later that day, after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump announced a "framework" deal and suspended the threatened tariffs, claiming progress on Greenland negotiations. The whiplash between threats and temporary de-escalation exemplified Trump's transactional approach to traditional alliances.