Trump vows ‘no going back’ on Greenland, circulates leaked texts and AI visuals

DAVOS, Switzerland/COPENHAGEN — U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday doubled down on his goal of asserting control over Greenland, declaring there was “no going back” and refusing to rule out the use of force, a move that has rattled European allies and reignited fears of a renewed transatlantic trade conflict.

Trump’s remarks, delivered following a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, were accompanied by a series of social media posts featuring leaked private messages and AI-generated images portraying him in Greenland and alongside a map depicting Canada and Greenland as part of the United States.

“As I expressed to everyone, very plainly, Greenland is imperative for National and World Security. There can be no going back — On that, everyone agrees!” Trump wrote.

The renewed push to wrest sovereignty over Greenland from Denmark, a fellow NATO member, has raised concerns in European capitals about the stability of the alliance that has underpinned Western security for decades. It has also revived the threat of a transatlantic trade war that previously unsettled markets and businesses last year.

Among the leaked messages Trump shared was a note from French President Emmanuel Macron questioning what the U.S. leader was “doing on Greenland.” Trump has previously threatened to impose steep tariffs on countries opposing his stance, including a warning of a 200% levy on French wines and champagnes.

EU Weighs Trade Countermeasures

European Union officials said they are considering a range of responses, including a package of tariffs on €93 billion ($109 billion) worth of U.S. imports that could automatically take effect on February 6 following a six-month suspension. Another option is the bloc’s “Anti-Coercion Instrument” (ACI), a mechanism that has never been deployed and could restrict U.S. access to public tenders, investments, banking activity, or trade in services—particularly the digital services sector where the United States runs a surplus with the EU.

“This is not a question about the Kingdom of Denmark, it is about the entire transatlantic relationship,” Denmark’s Economy Minister Stephanie Lose told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU economy and finance ministers in Brussels.
“At this point in time, we do not believe that anything should be ruled out. This is a serious situation that, although we would like to de-escalate, there are others who are contributing to escalating it right now, and therefore we will have to keep all options on the table as we move forward.”

U.S. Treasury Seeks to Calm Markets

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged restraint, dismissing what he described as “hysteria” over the Greenland dispute.

“It’s been 48 hours. As I said, sit back, relax,” Bessent said. “I am confident that the leaders will not escalate and that this will work out in a manner that ends up in a very good place for all.”

When asked about the risk of a prolonged trade war, Bessent added: “Why are we jumping there? Why are you taking it to the worst case?… Calm down the hysteria. Take a deep breath.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking separately in Davos, struck a more cautious tone, saying recent geopolitical shocks would push the EU to pursue greater strategic independence.
“We will only be able to capitalise on this opportunity if we recognise that this change is permanent,” she said.

Global Reactions and Market Impact

Trump is expected to attend the Davos gathering later this week, where global political and business leaders convene. In Switzerland, protests erupted in Zurich late Monday, with demonstrators carrying a banner reading: “TRUMP NOT WELCOME. NO WEF! NO OLIGARCHY! NO IMPERIALIST WARS!”

Russia’s foreign minister also weighed in, saying Greenland was not “a natural part” of Denmark, as Moscow observed growing divisions between the United States and Europe.

Financial markets reacted swiftly to the renewed tensions. European equities fell more than 1% on Monday, while U.S. stock futures signaled similar declines. The dollar weakened, reflecting investor unease over Trump’s latest tariff threats and the prospect of another round of trade hostilities.

As European leaders deliberate on security and economic countermeasures, the Greenland dispute has emerged as a new flashpoint in the transatlantic relationship, testing both NATO unity and the resilience of global markets.