Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition Greenland 'Framework' Lifts Mood, Japan Equities Rise
Jan 22, 2026
George Friedman, founder of Geopolitical Futures, dives into President Trump's strategic moves regarding Greenland and their implications on US-Europe relations and NATO. He explains how Trump's negotiation tactics are more about setting the stage for deals than randomness. Alice French, a Bloomberg Japan equities reporter, discusses the recent volatility in Japanese markets, linking it to new PM Takahashi's policies and strong IPO momentum in tech. Together, they assess the impact of these geopolitical shifts on regional economics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Greenland's Strategic Importance
- George Friedman says Greenland is strategically vital for Atlantic security and polar warfare considerations.
- He argues U.S. access already exists, so Trump's demand to "own" Greenland was unnecessary and unusual.
Trump's Negotiation Style Explained
- Friedman frames Trump's extreme opening demands as a deliberate negotiation tactic from his business background.
- He notes the president often makes outrageous demands then backs off as part of deal-making.
Enduring US‑Europe Strategic Ties
- Friedman believes European ties to the U.S. will persist despite irritation because strategic needs trump mood.
- He says NATO and the U.S. remain mutually necessary for security against Russia.