Eight notable moments from Trump’s Davos address
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump mixed policy claims, boasts and barbs in a 70-minute address. Here are eight moments that drew attention.
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By Torontoer Staff
At the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a 70-minute address that combined economic messaging with pointed criticisms of allies. He took aim at leaders, defended U.S. policy choices and repeated several claims that drew headlines.
Below are eight notable moments from the speech, summarised plainly and with direct excerpts where relevant.
1. A direct call-out to Mark Carney
Trump singled out Bank of England governor Mark Carney after Carney had warned about threats to the rules-based international order. The president framed the remark as a rebuke to Canada and Britain, arguing that the United States provides strategic protection to its allies.
Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, next time you make your statements.
Donald Trump
2. Greenland: insistence without force
Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark, saying he wanted to obtain it "right, title and ownership." He added that the United States would not use force to do so, even while warning that allies should consider the U.S. position carefully.
We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that.
Donald Trump
3. Confusing Greenland and Iceland
Several times during the address Trump referred to Iceland when discussing reactions to his Greenland remarks. The reference conflated Iceland, an independent nation, with Greenland, a Danish territory in the Arctic, and drew attention for the mix-up.
4. Comments on Venezuela and oil
Trump portrayed U.S. policy toward Venezuela in optimistic terms, saying the country would recover "fantastically well" after the removal of Nicolás Maduro and claiming major oil companies would return with U.S. assistance. Industry leaders have since said that significant legal and policy reforms would be needed before large-scale investment returns.
5. Swipes at Europe and wind energy
The president criticised European policies on energy and economic direction, using wind power as a target. He argued that windmills were economically damaging and suggested Europe was "not heading in the right direction," while saying the United States was booming and that global fortunes track American performance.
The more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses. Every time that goes around, you lose $1,000.
Donald Trump
6. A surprising aside on U.S. housing
Nearly an hour into the speech Trump addressed U.S. housing policy, saying he did not want to expand supply in a way that would lower home values for current owners. He suggested he could quickly "crush the housing market," but chose not to, and said he preferred lower interest rates to support the economy.
7. Cutting Swiss tariffs after pressure from business
Speaking in Switzerland, Trump explained a decision to reduce tariffs on Swiss goods, including watches, jewellery and chocolate, in response to calls from Swiss business leaders. He said a previously proposed levy prompted calls from firms such as Rolex and that the U.S. agreed to lower the tariff to encourage investment.
8. Mocking Emmanuel Macron’s sunglasses
Trump drew laughter from the Davos audience by poking fun at French president Emmanuel Macron’s choice to wear sunglasses indoors. Macron later explained the accessory was for a benign eye condition.
The address combined conventional trade and economic themes with personal barbs and memorable lines. It highlighted tensions between the United States and several allies, and underscored the president’s tendency to use high-profile forums to deliver both policy signals and theatrical moments.
DavosDonald TrumpWorld Economic ForumGreenlandEurope
