Topline
Representatives for the World Economic Forum, which kicks off today in Switzerland, have confirmed to Bloomberg that Danish officials will not be attending despite being invited, as tensions over U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland intensify.
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on January 12, 2026 shows US President Donald Trump (L, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 22, 2025) and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (in Berlin on December 15, 2025). Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen on January 11, 2026 said her country faces a “decisive moment” in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland, after US President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the Arctic territory. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS and Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
The yearly global governance and business summit kicks off today in Davos, Switzerland, but Denmark won’t be represented, forum officials told Bloomberg.
Trump this weekend announced a 10% tariff against eight European nations that have sent military to Greenland, with the levies set to start Feb. 1 and rise to 25% in June, unless a deal for the “purchase of Greenland” is reached.
Affected countries include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland—all of which are NATO allies of the U.S.
The eight nations responded with a joint statement reaffirming their support for Denmark and the people of Greenland, writing, “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.”
What To Watch For
On Sunday, the EU’s top diplomats met for crisis talks to discuss retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., though the New York Times reported Monday they are leaning toward further negotiations first.
Big Number
$108 billion. That’s the value of the U.S. goods under threat of retaliatory tariffs from the EU if new U.S. tariffs go into effect on Feb. 1, based on a previous package approved by the EU Commission this summer.
Crucial Quote
“We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs…Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back,” Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday, announcing the new tariffs. “This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
Key Background
Trump reignited public calls for a U.S. acquisition of Greenland, which he has been pursuing since his first term in office, shortly after the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolas Maduro early this month, stating the U.S. needs Greenland for its “national security.” That led the leaders of seven EU nations, including Denmark, to issue a statement on Jan. 6 that “Greenland belongs to its people.” Last week, each of the European countries affected by Trump’s tariffs sent either small troops or liaison officers to Greenland in a show of support for Denmark. French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement Saturday that “no intimidation nor threat will influence [France].” U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer added that “Applying tariffs on allies for pursuing the collective security of NATO allies is completely wrong.” Sunday night, on the eve of the Davos summit, Trump criticized Denmark once again, writing on Truth Social, “NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/martinadilicosa/2026/01/19/denmark-skips-davos-world-economic-forum-amid-greenland-feud-with-us-report-says/
