Europe Today Europeans take centre stage in Davos amidst trade tensions.
Jan 20, 2026
Stefan Grobe, a US politics expert known for his insights on transatlantic relations, dives deep into the current state of US-EU trade tensions. He reveals Trump’s contempt for Europe and his strategic oversights regarding Greenland, including a humorous take on Norway. Discussions unfold on the EU's readiness to retaliate against potential tariffs and Italy's role in mediating between Trump and European allies. With NATO's emergency talks on Nordic territorial integrity, Grobe and colleagues highlight the complex geopolitical landscape emerging from Davos.
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Transatlantic Relations At A Low
- Transatlantic relations have deteriorated significantly under Donald Trump, with Europe now being treated as an adversary rather than an ally.
- Stéphane Grobe argues Europe is large and important enough to retaliate decisively against US economic pressure.
Prepare To Counter With Proportionate Measures
- Europe should prepare concrete retaliatory measures and not shy away from using strong instruments if the US imposes tariffs.
- Stéphane Grobe suggests Europe is moving closer to deploying its 'big' countermeasures if provoked.
Meloni's Bridge-Building With Trump
- Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has previously acted as a bridge to Washington and met Trump in 2023 to discuss tariffs.
- Giorgia Olandi reports Meloni warned Trump that targeting Greenland was a mistake and showed unusual concern about escalation.