4 key takeaways from Donald Trump's speech at Davos
Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images
- At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump pressed his case for US control of Greenland.
- Trump defended tariffs as a core tool of leverage.
- He framed global politics as an era of raw economic and military power competition worldwide.
It was a speech that was never going to fly under the radar.
President Donald Trump used his Davos address on Wednesday to press his case for US control of Greenland, criticize what he described as Europe's economic decline, and outline a series of domestic and global policy priorities — from tariffs and credit card rates to the Federal Reserve.
The speech came after Trump's flight to Davos was delayed following a midair turnaround of Air Force One due to a "minor electrical issue" and a transatlantic flight on a backup jet.
It also came amid mounting backlash from European leaders, rattled markets, and warnings of retaliation that could hit America's biggest economic advantages.
Here are the four biggest takeaways from Trump's remarks:
1. Trump says he won't use force to take Greenland — but insisted the US must have it
Trump devoted a significant portion of his speech to Greenland, saying that the US does not plan to use military force and adding that no other country can secure the territory.
"I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force, Trump said."
At the same time, he framed US control of Greenland as essential to global security and openly criticized America's allies.
"All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland," Trump said.
"No nation or a group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States."
Trump said US ownership would benefit NATO, even as he questioned the alliance's reliability.
"This would greatly enhance the security of the entire NATO alliance," he said, adding: "We want strong allies, not seriously weakened ones."
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2. Tariffs are his preferred weapon — and Trump says they work
Trump repeatedly returned to tariffs as a central tool of leverage, describing them as a way to get other countries to change behavior.
"Instead of raising taxes on domestic producers, we're lowering them and raising tariffs on foreign nations," Trump said.
He added that tariffs have enabled him to secure concessions that would not have been possible otherwise.
"Without tariffs, I wouldn't have been able to get it done," he said.
At one point, he described his negotiating style in blunt terms, telling the audience that when tariffs are on the table, the message to other countries is simple: "You're going to do it fast."
3. Windmills, energy — and 'stupid people'
Trump used some of his most emotive language when discussing energy policy, particularly renewable power.
He dismissed green policies as "the Green New Scam" in reference to the EU's Green New Deal and called it "perhaps the greatest hoax in history," adding that wind turbines ruin landscapes while losing money.
"Windmills all over the place destroy your land," Trump said."Stupid people buy them."
He also accused China of profiting from renewable energy by manufacturing windmills for export while relying on other energy sources at home, suggesting Beijing sells green technology it does not fully embrace itself.
4. Europe is 'not even recognizable anymore,' Trump says
Speaking to a largely European audience, Trump repeatedly said that parts of the continent have declined economically and politically — without naming specific cities or countries.
"Certain places in Europe are not even recognizable anymore," he said, adding that the changes were "not in a positive way."
He blamed European governments for weakening themselves through energy and economic policy.
"They're destroying themselves," Trump said of European countries.
At the same time, he positioned the US as the central force in the global economy and security.
"The USA is the economic engine on the planet," he said. "When America booms, the entire world booms."
"I'm working every day to ensure our military is very powerful. Our borders are very strong. And above all, our economy is strong because national security requires economic security and economic prosperity," he added.