German chancellor seeks Trump talks in Davos to defuse trade clash

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Monday he will attempt to secure a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos this Wednesday, seeking to prevent a further escalation in a transatlantic dispute triggered by Trump's push to acquire Greenland. The situation intensified over the weekend with the U.S. announcement of punitive tariffs against several European nations.

A Bid for De-escalation in Switzerland

Speaking in Berlin, Merz emphasized a European desire to avoid escalation after Trump threatened tariffs on countries supporting Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. "We will have the opportunity this week in Davos to discuss this... I will try to meet with President Trump on Wednesday," Merz said, referencing the World Economic Forum meetings. He acknowledged shared strategic concerns about Arctic security but stressed they must be addressed collectively through frameworks like NATO, not via unilateral territorial demands.

Europe's Unified Readiness to Respond

The German leader issued a firm warning that Europe is prepared to act if the U.S. follows through on its tariff plan. "I don't want it, but if it's necessary, then of course we will protect our European interests," Merz declared. He argued that tariffs are a counterproductive foreign policy tool, stating, "Tariffs benefit no one and harm almost everyone," and suggested they are already hurting the U.S. economy. European Union leaders are scheduled for an extraordinary meeting in Brussels on Thursday to coordinate a potential unified response.

The Core of the Dispute

The conflict stems from Trump's announcement on Saturday of tariffs starting at 10% on February 1 against Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland, rising to 25% by June. Trump linked the measures directly to securing a deal for the U.S. purchase of Greenland, citing national security and competition with Russia and China. Both the Danish government and Greenland's autonomous administration have repeatedly and firmly rejected any sale of the territory, asserting Danish sovereignty remains non-negotiable.