Finance
Davos participants react to Trump's Greenland speech
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 21, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Summary
Trump's Greenland speech at Davos sparked global reactions, focusing on NATO concerns and the future of international alliances.
Global Leaders React to Trump's Controversial Greenland Remarks at Davos
Global Reactions to Trump's Speech
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out the use of force in his bid to control Greenland on Wednesday but said in a speech in Davos that no other country can secure the autonomous Danish territory.
Comments from Political Leaders
Here are comments from some of the people who listened to the speech at the World Economic Forum.
Concerns Over NATO and Alliances
GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA
“It was a very insignificant speech."
"He wanted Greenland last week. He wanted Greenland two weeks ago, and he said we should negotiate. And the European Union said, 'We are happy to negotiate, and we never kicked you out. You kind of walked out. You can still put your bases there.'”
“This thing has unnerved many people, as seen from the stock market reaction.”
“I'm worried about NATO. I'm worried about truth and trust.”
CONRADIN CRAMER, HEAD OF THE CANTONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND
"We live in such crazy times that it is kind of a relief to hear that."
"If the president of the leading NATO country has to say he will not use force against another NATO country, and the world is relieved about that, that shows how crazy things are going now."
PHILIP GORDON, BROOKINGS EXPERT AND FORMER ASSISTANT TO THE US PRESIDENT DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Gordon said the big takeaway was Trump ruling out use of force on Greenland: “There was a big sigh of relief in the room over that.”
However, he said the overall world view outlined by Trump in the speech would be deeply troubling to other nations: “We are entering a new world where middle powers have to figure out how to survive in a world where they can no longer count on U.S. protection.”
AL GORE, FORMER US VICE PRESIDENT
“To try and take a wrecking ball to these alliances the way he took a wrecking ball to the East Wing is literally insane.”
Asked if Trump’s actions were making NATO more secure, he said: “Of course not - it’s ridiculous.”
ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, BRITISH POLITICAL STRATEGIST
Asked what he saw as the main takeaway of the speech, Campbell said, “How embarrassing it all was.”
(Reporting by Mark John, Ariane Luthi, Dave Graham in DAVOS, Switzerland; Editing by Joe Bavier)
Key Takeaways
- •Trump ruled out the use of force on Greenland.
- •Global leaders expressed relief and concern.
- •NATO alliances and US protection were key topics.
- •Al Gore criticized Trump's approach to alliances.
- •The speech sparked reactions from various political figures.
Frequently Asked Questions about Davos participants react to Trump's Greenland speech
1What is NATO?
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance established in 1949 for mutual defense against aggression. It includes 30 member countries from North America and Europe.
2What is a global economic recovery?
Global economic recovery refers to the process of improvement in economic performance across countries following a recession or economic downturn. It is characterized by increased GDP, employment, and consumer spending.
3What is a financial community?
A financial community consists of individuals, institutions, and organizations involved in the management, investment, and exchange of financial assets. This includes banks, investors, regulators, and financial markets.
