In a dramatic display of international tensions, European leaders have firmly pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s recent comments and actions, accusing him of embracing “new colonialism” and “bullying” tactics.
The heated exchanges unfolded at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a scathing rebuke of Trump’s approach. Wearing sunglasses, Macron warned that “now is not the time for new imperialism or new colonialism,” a clear reference to Trump’s controversial interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark.
The Independent reported that Macron denounced “bullies” and called for the “rule of law over brutality,” further escalating the war of words between the two leaders. Meanwhile, the Financial Times noted that the “rift with Europe deepens” as Trump remains steadfast in his pursuit of Greenland, stating there is “no going back” on the issue.
In a bid to ease tensions, Trump told NATO allies, “We’ll work something out” before departing for Davos. However, when pressed on how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland, the US president ominously responded, “You’ll find out.”
The i Paper suggested that the UK military could deploy surveillance units to Greenland as a “tripwire” to deter any potential conflict, highlighting the growing geopolitical stakes surrounding the Arctic region.
Closer to home, Trump’s criticism of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also dominated British headlines. The Metro featured a screenshot of Trump’s scathing social media post, accusing the PM of “giving away” the Chagos Islands, where the US maintains a military base, and labeling it “an act of great stupidity.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed Trump’s sentiments, writing in the Daily Express that Starmer is “out of his depth” on the world stage and praised the US president for being “dead right” in his denunciation of the Chagos Islands deal.
As the geopolitical tensions continue to simmer, the media landscape in both the UK and Europe remains firmly focused on the escalating clash between Trump and European leaders, highlighting the significant implications for global diplomacy and the ongoing power struggles on the international stage.
