Greenland "necessary" to the United States, tariffs as a political weapon, war in Ukraine to be left on Europe's shoulders and an America described as "the economic engine of the planet". In a a lengthy speech that lasted 72 minutes, well beyond the 45 foreseen by the program, Donald Trump in Davos He relaunched America as the dominant power, but with a more subdued tone than usual, punctuated by a touch of irony that lessened the shock effect. He alternated territorial demands, commercial pressure, and economic self-celebration, calling into question relations with historic allies and NATO. Between calls for "immediate negotiations" on the Arctic island, warnings to the European Union ("if they say no, we will remember"), and criticism of the Federal Reserve, the US president transformed the stage of the World Economic Forum into a moment of strong revitalization of his global vision.
Boom or Mirage? Trump and the Story of the US Economy
"I'm happy to be here, with so many friends and even a few enemies," Trump opened his speech, immediately setting the tone. Before an audience of political leaders, business leaders, and global tycoons, the US president crafted his own narrative of success. "The US is in the midst of the greatest economic growth ever. The US economy is exploding”, he says, speaking of a real “economic miracle”. “After a year of my presidency the US economy is booming”, he insists, claiming that “practically there is no inflation” and that GDP is running at “+5,4%”.
The president links the results to personal consensus: “Americans are very happy with me”, he says, for having achieved “the most incredible economic turnaround in history”. “When we do well, the whole world benefits. When we do badly, the whole world does badly,” he adds, reiterating that the United States remains “the economic engine of the planet”.
Biden and Powell in the crosshairs
In the context of economic success, Trump also identifies the guilty: Biden e Jerome Powell. “If the Democrats had still governed we would be dead” and “we will announce the new president of the Fed will be appointed soon" Trump declares, criticizing Jerome Powell for being "too late" in cutting rates. "Powell raises interest rates and prevents us from being successful," he says, arguing that "growth does not mean inflation" and that inflation can be "fighted with appropriate growth." According to Trump, the United States should "pay lower interest rates than any other country." And he promises a change of direction also on markets“We will make sure they go back up when there is good economic news.”
Immigration and the Attack on Europe: "They're Destroying Themselves"
The comparison with Europe He arrives early and is not lenient. Trump declares he "loves Europe," only to later accuse it of having lost control of its borders. "Europe no longer controls immigration, some areas no longer recognize each other,” he argues, adding that the continent “is not going in the right direction.” In the United States, however, the picture is the opposite: “The borders are impenetrable.”
The President calls on the EU to change course“It needs to break out of the culture it has become enmeshed in over the last ten years,” he warns, arguing that “they are destroying themselves.”
Greenland: "I don't want to use force and I won't."
It's on the Greenland The room freezes. The atmosphere suddenly becomes tense when Trump addresses the most controversial topic. “We need Greenland,” he says, asking “immediate negotiations” for the acquisition of the island.
He assures: "I don't want to use force and I won't use it," but adds that, if it did, the United States would be "unstoppable." Trump calls Greenland "a big piece of ice," a "very small claim" but strategic "for the peace and protection of the world." He recalls that "after the Second World War we returned it to Denmark" and accuses Copenhagen of ingratitude: "How stupid we were: we should have kept it." Then the message directed to Europe: "If Europeans say yes, we will greatly appreciate it. If they say no, we will remember it."
Trump reiterates: "We can do in Greenland what we did in Venezuela,"
Ukraine: Peace Promised and Responsibility Shifted
On the war in UkraineTrump presents himself as a peace facilitator.Putin and Zelensky they want to reach an agreement,” he claims, also announcing a meeting tomorrow with the Ukrainian president in Davos. But he immediately clarifies his position: "It's up to Europe to resolve the war in Ukraine, not the United States."
Trump touts his alleged diplomatic successes: “I resolved eight wars in a year,” he says, citing the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. medium-high pace, however, remains a promise delegated to others.
NATO and allies: conditional loyalty
On the front of the of your digital ecosystem. , the American president reiterates a support that appears anything but unconditional. “I will be with the NATO 100%, but I'm not sure they will be for us,” he says, denouncing that “the US has been treated very badly by NATO” and that it has “given a lot while receiving very little.” It is a loyalty accompanied by an open score, which weighs like a warning to the European allies sitting in the room.
Tariffs, Canada and the US-led world
The commercial chapter is not missing. “I duties they serve to make those countries that have damaged us pay,” Trump reiterated, hinting at new tensions with the European Union.
Even the neighbors end up in the crosshairs: "The Canada exists thanks to the United States,” he says, in a joke that carries more weight than it seems.
And while claiming American primacy in artificial intelligence – “we are leading the world in AI, ahead of China” – also praises the collaboration with the Venezuela: “They are doing very well.”
Macron: Between Irony, Threats, and Muscular Diplomacy
The most theatrical chapter is dedicated to Emmanuel MacronTrump jokes about the French president's sunglasses. "I called Emmanuel Macron, I listened to his beautiful speech yesterday, with those sunglasses, he tried to act tough," he says. Then he admits: "I actually like Macron, even if it's hard to believe." Trump says he convinced him "in three minutes" on the issue of drug prices: "I told him he'd have to double or triple prices, or I'd apply 25% or 100% tariffs on French wines. It took me three minutes to convince him."
Trump at Davos: What's left beyond the catchphrases?
While Trump offered the Davos audience the most brilliant version of his “Trumpnomics,” he also raised real questions about transatlantic cohesion, the allies’ ability to jointly address global issues, and the management of increasingly complex economic relations.
A clear impression remains in Davos: behind the irony, self-celebration, and rally-like tone, Trump is outlining an American-led international order, in which alliances are conditional, diplomacy is openly transactional, and consensus is measured by obedience. Whoever says yes is an ally. Whoever says no, as he warned, will be remembered.
