Image: from Teri Schultz X@terischultz
By Open Chronicle Global Desk | January 21, 2026
DAVOS, Switzerland – In a winding, 75-minute address at the 2026 World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump delivered a mix of domestic populism and geopolitical shockwaves, headlined by a renewed demand for the United States to acquire Greenland.
While the President’s speech touched on a “miraculous” U.S. economy, his rhetoric toward European allies was razor-edged, framing the Arctic island as a necessary payment for decades of American military protection.
The Greenland Gambit: “Not a Threat to NATO”
Trump’s insistence on “right, title, and ownership” of Greenland dominated the headlines. He dismissed the idea of a lease, stating, “You can’t defend it on a lease.”
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The Justification: Trump argued that since the U.S. has funded NATO at “100%” for decades, the acquisition of the island is a “very small ask.” He questioned if European allies would be there for the U.S. as the U.S. has been for them.
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Force Ruled Out: For the first time, Trump explicitly ruled out military force to take the island. “We would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that,” he said, though he warned that if allies say no, “we will remember.”
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Continental Sovereignty: He asserted that Greenland is technically part of North America and thus “our territory.”
Donald Trump capped his Davos remarks by saying he is seeking “immediate negotiations” for the United States to acquire Greenland, framing the territory as a “core national security interest” rather than a resource grab for rare‑earth minerals.
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Ukraine: Dealing with “Stupid” Decisions
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Trump’s stance was characteristically transactional. He confirmed he intends to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—despite Zelenskyy reportedly remaining in Kyiv—to push for an immediate peace deal.
“I’m dealing with Putin, and he wants to make a deal. I think Zelenskyy wants to make a deal. If they don’t get this done, they are stupid.”
Trump described the conflict as “horrible” but noted that the Atlantic Ocean makes it a “European problem,” expressing frustration that the U.S. receives “no gratitude” for the “massive amounts of cash” it provides.
Domestic “America First” Economics
Turning to the U.S. economy, Trump unveiled a series of aggressive measures aimed at addressing the housing crisis and consumer debt:
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Housing Reform: He announced an executive order banning large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. Additionally, he instructed the government to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds to lower interest rates for homebuyers.
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Credit Card Caps: Trump called on Congress to cap credit card interest rates at 10% for one year to provide relief to the middle class.
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The Fed Shakeup: He aimed to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome “Too Late” Powell, announcing he would name a replacement soon. His shortlist includes Christopher Waller and Kevin Warsh.
The Venezuela Pivot
Trump also praised a “great spirit of collaboration” with Venezuela, following the recent removal of Nicolás Maduro. He predicted the country would “make more money in six months than in the last 20 years” by splitting oil revenues with the U.S., framing it as a major win for American energy security.
A Vision of “Special Culture”
The President concluded by appealing to a shared Western heritage. He argued that the West’s prosperity came not from tax codes, but from a “very special culture” that both the U.S. and Europe must maintain. However, he ended with a warning that “certain places in Europe are no longer recognizable,” urging leaders to “get out of the culture they’ve created” over the last decade.