AILSA CHANG, HOST:
The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, opened today, and things could be a bit awkward between Europe and the U.S. President Trump's statements about taking over Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland have created some tension, and it's only gotten worse since Saturday when Trump threatened to levy tariffs on European countries that get in the way. Trump arrives in Davos on Wednesday in what could be a moment of truth for Europe and for the transatlantic alliance. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.
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UNIDENTIFIED NEWSCASTER: (Speaking French).
ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: European news has been nonstop on the Greenland crisis and President Trump's threats to slap even more tariffs on countries who dare to stop his plan to take Greenland. Europe is facing a choice between sovereignty and submission, says one newscaster. Trump's arrival at Davos will be a pivotal moment. Bernard Guetta is a member of the European Parliament. He says Trump is bringing Europe together.
BERNARD GUETTA: All the countries and all the political forces were so shocked, deeply shocked, by this incredible attitude. So, you know, Mr. Trump is making the European unity much stronger every day.
BEARDSLEY: Trump is expected to make a bold entrance at Davos Wednesday with his family members and business executives wheeling and dealing. His presence promises to dominate the debate, said French newspaper Le Monde. The stated purpose of this year's forum is to promote a spirit of dialogue and cooperation in a contested world - themes decided long before what feels now like a dramatic transatlantic standoff.
Europeans are angry. They feel they've been way too accommodating of the Trump administration - the price to pay for continued U.S. support on Ukraine in its existential fight against Russia. But Trump's words this weekend, threatening tariffs on those who would block him on Greenland, went too far. Stephane Sejourne is vice president of the European Commission. He spoke on French radio.
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STEPHANE SEJOURNE: (Through interpreter) I want to be very clear today that Greenland will never be American. This blackmail has to stop. The American administration is making a huge mistake. They're testing the Europeans on the fundamental principles of European construction, the self-determination of its peoples.
BEARDSLEY: Bernard Guetta says the European Parliament may retaliate by not ratifying the U.S.-EU trade deal worked out last summer. It does not include tariffs on U.S. products, but Guetta says they may want to impose them if Trump does not back down from his plans, which he thinks will backfire.
GUETTA: What could Trump do now? Invade Greenland? It would be a big failure for him, politically speaking. And even increased tariffs, it would be very unpopular in the United States.
BEARDSLEY: While Europeans are united in outrage, they are setting different tones, even between the EU's two largest economies, Germany and France.
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CHANCELLOR FRIEDRICH MERZ: (Speaking German).
BEARDSLEY: Speaking today, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the tariffs would hurt both sides and sought to prevent the clash with Trump over Greenland from escalating into a new trade war. He urged a levelheaded response. However, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called on Brussels to activate the EU's anticoercion instrument, also known as its trade bazooka. No intimidation or threat will influence us, Macron said in a post on X over the weekend.
Much will depend on what Trump says in his speech on Wednesday. European leaders aren't taking any chances, though. They've already scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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