Donald Trumpomnipresent. In Davos this week, flanked by half of his government. He is where he belongs: he prefers the World Forum to the United Nations. Understands businessmen better than statesmen. Believes in the balance of power more than in the wisdom of Nations. There is a certain idea of Europe Swiss. Rich, old and neutral, that is to say outside of history.
It’s been a year since the White House imposed its spectacle on the rest of the world. A year of chasing the Nobel Peace Prize. He considers it deserved and it is true, even if he brags about having pacified eight conflicts. He only received consolation prizes. A special prize from Fifa, a paltry substitute. And the medal that the winner prudently offered her Maria Corina Machado without obtaining in exchange his support to return to Caracas. Donald Trump has changed his ambition.
The red line
In 2025, he wanted Peace. In 2026, he wants Greenland. He says he deserves it. He demands it. He is getting impatient because the 250th anniversary of UNITED STATES approach. Expanding the empire with these promising acres of snow would prove that “Make America great again” is not an empty slogan. He panics the Europeans whose arms he twists and he worries his electoral base. 86% of Americans are against the use of force to take control of the autonomous territory (CBS poll) and 70% are against the idea of buying it. The rejection is massive, including in the MAGA camp. The same people who applauded the armed interventions in Venezuela or against Iranian nuclear power are repugnant to this bad trick done to the European allies. Greenland is a red line.
The permanent agitation in the White House hypnotizes the media and prohibits progress reports
The disavowal of his voters did not hold back Donald Trump, who threatened the European countries which had the courage to send three dozen soldiers to Greenland. This symbolic deployment was a challenge. He noted it: 10% additional customs duties from February, 25% from June as long as a “total and complete purchase” has not been made.
Freewheeling on ice
This punishment is contrary to the “unequal treaty” concluded with the European Commission last summer. The European Parliament, which was to approve the agreement, will veto it. The Supreme Court, which is preparing to render its decision on reciprocal customs duties, will be encouraged to censure them by considering them to be an abuse of presidential prerogatives. Not to mention the reaction of the markets, notably GAFAM and the military-industrial sector, if ever their European clients managed to agree on retaliation. We do not see how Ukraine deprived of American weapons would avoid capitulation, nor how NATO would survive… Donald Trump is freewheeling on the ice. It is urgent to regain control of the negotiation.
The permanent agitation in the White House hypnotizes the media and prohibits progress reports. Since the start of the year, Donald Trump has retreated Iran. It is at a standstill in Caracas where political prisoners have still not been released. At a standstill in Ukraine. And in deep sleep in Gaza with this Peace Council supposed to prepare the construction of a new riviera. The Greenland episode has finally eclipsed the rout of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Our Kurdish allies in the battle against the Islamic State fanatics have capitulated to the new Syrian army. America has failed them. Jihadists whose guardians they were have returned to Raqqa. These images should chill us, much more than Greenland.
