The Intelligence from The Economist Grave new world: the Greenland row’s lasting damage
15 snips
Jan 22, 2026 
Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief at The Economist, examines the diplomatic fallout from Trump's Greenland comments, questioning the future of America-Europe relations. Tom Wainwright, media editor, discusses the impending TikTok ownership deal and its national-security implications, revealing enduring concerns about data access. Meanwhile, Blaine Green explores a trend of rising melancholy in pop lyrics, suggesting that listeners' preferences are shifting toward darker themes despite changing world events.
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Transatlantic Trust Took A Hit
- Trump's Greenland episode damaged transatlantic trust even after he withdrew threats.
- Europeans now see value in credible threats and may recalibrate defence and trade relations.
Buying Greenland Is Implausible
- The Greenland purchase idea is effectively dead because Greenlandic sovereignty is non-negotiable.
- Any US presence must be negotiated with Denmark and respect Greenlanders' rights.
Recalibrate Reliance And Keep Leverage
- European leaders should consider recalibrating reliance on the US and boost defence self-reliance.
- They should keep trade tools ready as leverage while seeking clearer long-term arrangements.