Global leaders, business chiefs and policymakers have gathered in the Swiss resort of Davos for the 2026 World Economic Forum, where tensions over Greenland, trade tariffs and geopolitical friction are shaping discussions alongside business and technology debates.
Around 3,000 participants from roughly 130 countries — including top executives and government officials — are attending this year’s forum, which runs through Friday.
World leaders are engaging in negotiations and strategic talks amid growing uncertainty over Arctic geopolitics and global trade.
US President Donald Trump has taken centre stage ahead of his scheduled address, thrusting Greenland’s fate into the spotlight and unsettling allies. Trump has repeated his longstanding interest in acquiring the Danish autonomous territory, posting social media messages and digitally altered images that depict Greenland and even Canada as US territory, signifying his intent.
The issue has sparked a diplomatic response from Europe. Leaders including the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen have expressed solidarity with Greenland’s sovereignty and condemned coercive tactics, warning that respect for territorial integrity must be upheld.
Tensions have extended into trade policy. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on European nations that resist his push on Greenland, linking progress on a territorial deal with the avoidance of additional duties on goods.
The looming tariff threat has triggered concern in financial markets and raised the spectre of renewed transatlantic trade friction.
Against this backdrop, Trump shared private messages from French President Emmanuel Macron, including a proposed G7-style meeting in Paris after the Davos forum, which would include a broad range of global leaders.
Macron’s message underscored that France does not support coercive pressure on Greenland, emphasising that territorial sovereignty cannot be compromised.
The controversy over Greenland and related tariff threats is drawing sharp focus at Davos, testing alliances and complicating economic diplomacy even before formal sessions begin.
European leaders have signalled they will consider firm responses should trade measures be enacted, and discussions over the Arctic territory have become a defining theme of the forum’s early days.
As the forum progresses, talks are expected to intertwine geopolitical priorities with economic strategy, making Greenland and tariff disputes central to the week’s global dialogue.
