标签： North America

President Donald Trump’s persistent campaign to acquire Greenland has ignited significant bipartisan opposition in Congress, creating an unusual alliance between Republicans and Democrats. This development signals growing unease over the administration’s unilateral approach to foreign policy and military interventions.

The controversy has evolved beyond a simple territorial dispute into a broader examination of presidential authority. Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly questioning the administration’s use of economic pressure and military force to advance geopolitical objectives in Venezuela, Iran, and now the Arctic region.

Republican leaders, who have typically supported Trump’s foreign policy agenda since his return to office, are now expressing reservations about the proposed Greenland acquisition. Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) publicly criticized potential tariffs on countries opposing the takeover, warning such measures would ultimately benefit geopolitical rivals China and Russia while damaging American interests and alliances.

The Arctic territory, while self-governing, remains under Danish sovereignty, making any attempted acquisition a complex international legal matter. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, emphasized that respect for Greenland’s sovereignty should be ‘non-negotiable,’ reflecting concerns shared by several Republican colleagues.

Trump has defended his position by asserting strategic necessity, claiming control of Greenland is vital for competing with China and Russia in the increasingly important Arctic region. When questioned by BBC journalists about potential damage to NATO alliances, the president dismissed concerns and reiterated that obtaining the territory was crucial for both U.S. and global security interests.

Congress possesses several mechanisms to potentially restrain presidential action regarding Greenland, primarily through control of funding allocations. Legal experts note that any purchase would require congressional appropriation of funds, while military action would necessitate authorization. However, the administration has previously demonstrated willingness to expand executive power to circumvent legislative obstacles on issues ranging from immigration to tariffs.

The political dynamics mirror earlier tensions over Venezuela, where several Republicans joined Democrats in attempting to limit military engagement. Although previous measures have failed, they indicate growing congressional willingness to challenge presidential authority in foreign affairs.

The situation remains fluid, with Trump suggesting developments are imminent while lawmakers consider legislative responses. The administration might pursue alternative arrangements that avoid formal treaties requiring Senate ratification, though legal scholars express skepticism about such approaches for matters of this significance.

President Donald Trump’s journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos encountered an unexpected setback when Air Force One was compelled to return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland shortly after takeoff. The White House confirmed the aircraft experienced a minor electrical malfunction, with accompanying journalists reporting temporary power loss in the press cabin.

Following the incident, the President transferred to a secondary aircraft to continue his travel to Switzerland, though this diversion resulted in an approximately three-hour delay to his scheduled arrival. Trump was originally expected in Davos at 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) but will now arrive closer to 13:00 local time.

The technical incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the aging presidential aircraft fleet. The current Air Force One planes, two modified Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, have been in service since 1990. While these aircraft have undergone upgrades, maintenance costs for both airframes and engines continue to escalate.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing’s performance. Last year, the administration announced it was exploring alternatives to Boeing following repeated delays in delivering two new presidential aircraft. The situation was further complicated when Washington accepted a $400 million Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, with retrofitting costs to be covered by U.S. taxpayers. The White House maintains the acceptance was legal and has pledged the aircraft will ultimately be donated to Trump’s presidential library.

Despite the travel disruption, President Trump is still expected to deliver his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum at 14:30 local time (13:30 GMT). His schedule includes high-level meetings with foreign leaders and a reception with business executives.

The Davos appearance comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions regarding Trump’s persistent interest in acquiring Greenland. The president has stated he intends to use the forum to convince European leaders that the United States ‘must have’ Greenland for national security reasons, not excluding potential military action. These demands have been firmly rejected by both Greenland’s autonomous government and Denmark, with several European NATO members expressing opposition while simultaneously deploying military personnel to the territory for exercises.

President Donald Trump has intensified his controversial campaign to acquire Greenland, declaring on social media that there is “no going back” and labeling the territory “imperative” to U.S. interests. During a White House press briefing, Trump remained characteristically cryptic about his methods, telling reporters “You’ll find out” when questioned how far he would go to obtain the autonomous Danish territory.

The administration’s pursuit has triggered profound diplomatic repercussions, exposing fractures in Western alliances. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a dangerous “shift towards a world without rules,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that the “old order is not coming back.”

When confronted by BBC journalists about potentially destabilizing NATO through his Greenland ambitions, Trump offered contradictory statements. While boasting that “Nobody has done more for NATO than I have,” he simultaneously questioned the alliance’s commitment to mutual defense, expressing doubts about whether member states would honor Article 5 obligations to defend the United States if needed.

Greenland’s Minister of Industry and Natural Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, conveyed her nation’s firm rejection of Trump’s overtures, stating Greenlanders were “bewildered” by the proposals. “We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that,” she emphasized during a BBC Newsnight interview, questioning the valuation placed on Greenlandic culture and self-determination.

The confrontation has escalated into broader trade threats, with Trump vowing to impose 10% tariffs on imports from eight European countries beginning February 1st if they oppose his Greenland agenda. Additionally, he threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne following Macron’s reported refusal to join a Gaza peace initiative.

European leaders responded with unprecedented unity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared European sovereignty “non-negotiable” while reaffirming the EU’s “full solidarity” with Greenland and Denmark. Macron condemned Trump’s tariff diplomacy as “fundamentally unacceptable,” particularly when leveraged against territorial sovereignty, while advocating for EU retaliatory measures including the so-called “trade bazooka” anti-coercion instrument.

The European Parliament is reportedly considering suspending approval of a recently negotiated US trade deal, signaling potentially lasting damage to transatlantic relations as Trump prepares to engage with world leaders in Davos regarding his polar ambitions.

President Donald Trump’s inaugural appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos confronts an unexpectedly frosty reception from global leaders, contrasting sharply with his customary domestic rally environments. The diplomatic cooling stems primarily from his administration’s controversial pursuit of Greenland’s acquisition, which has generated substantial international skepticism and diplomatic friction.

European diplomats and economic representatives indicate that traditional diplomatic decorum may give way to more confrontational exchanges regarding U.S. protectionist policies and unconventional geopolitical maneuvers. The Greenland situation has particularly alarmed European allies, creating an atmosphere where even traditionally cordial interactions are expected to be notably restrained.

Analysts suggest this forum will serve as a critical testing ground for Trump’s “America First” doctrine within elite global circles. Unlike previous U.S. presidents who used Davos to strengthen multilateral relationships, Trump faces the challenge of advancing his nationalist agenda while navigating increasingly complex international dynamics. The setting promises to reveal significant tensions between traditional diplomatic approaches and the current administration’s unconventional foreign policy methodology.