Davos, it’s “Trump show”: “Stupid Europeans, no one would be anything without us”

Brussels – Europeans? “Stupid.” The rest of the world? Parasites who “wouldn’t get anywhere without the United States.” Donald Trump is on a roll. The President of the United States bursts into Davos for the World Economic Forum, contemptuous of everyone and everything, speaking freely, not even respecting the time slot reserved for him (14:30-15:15), going beyond the limits, and not just in terms of time. He does not mince his words, using language that goes beyond diplomacy and protocol. The Swiss stage becomes the pedestal on which Trump places not so much the power politics of the country he leads as the delusions of omnipotence that drive him personally. 

The paradox of this statement is the applause that the audience nevertheless gives him, for a show that, however you want to see and interpret it, remains just that. The White House tenant arrives on the old continent completely unfazed by the European Union’s strong voice, responding instead with threats and derision. “I love Europe, and I would like to see it be great, but it is not going in the right direction,” Trump begins. Criticism that, after the overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States, takes on a completely different flavour. Also, in light of what Trump then says about the annexation of Greenland: “You have two choices: say ‘yes’ to us, and we would be grateful, or say ‘no’, and we will remember that.” 

This is where Trump begins his personal and frontal attack on the whole world. He starts with his European “allies”, of course. “We have gained nothing from NATO; we have only paid to protect Europe from the Soviet Union, and we have never asked for anything in return.” Now, however, “we are asking for a piece of ice,” he says of Greenland, which, he claims, “we returned to Denmark at the end of the Second World War, and this is the gratitude we receive.” These words serve to unmask the new American course, which is all about profit and convenience, despite the “values” that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen touts at every public appearance.

 Yes, von der Leyen. Trump obviously has words for her too, even if he never mentions her by name. “The green scam is destroying your land,” Trump claims, in a clear reference to the sustainability policy enshrined in the Green Deal. “Europe is full of wind turbines, yet electricity is expensive. Only stupid people buy these things,” he adds. He then reiterates: “The Chinese manufacture these technologies, but they don’t use them; they sell them to stupid people.” 

It is just a moment of ranting that spares no one, not even the hosts. Trump does not hold back and even attacks Switzerland, which is hosting him in Davos. “You make nice watches, and we have a $41 billion deficit because we don’t tax you. So I decided to impose 30 per cent tariffs,” he proudly declares, and, not content with that, he ridicules the Swiss political class. “I remember your prime minister, a woman, being very repetitive in saying that this was not the right choice…” A reference to Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Swiss Confederation until 31 December 2025. 

Trump even goes so far as to attack Somalia. “Somalia is a failed state, with no government and no police,” he says, before turning on everyone else. “The United States has financed the whole world,” he says. “Without us, there would be no countries here; without the United States, most countries would not even function. You have no threats thanks to us.” Provided that the United States do not become a threat itself. Because, explains the US president, “we were already strong in the past, and we are even stronger today, as we have relaunched our military production” and the defence sector. “We have the best equipment, and we sell some of it to you.” Then he says goodbye, with words that do not bode well: “See you around…” Trump is here to stay, and Europe will have to decide how to move forward.