FT News Briefing Greenland standoff rattles markets
85 snips
Jan 21, 2026 
Robin Wigglesworth, Editor of Alphaville at the Financial Times, discusses the impact of US Treasury holdings as potential leverage against transatlantic tension sparked by Trump's Greenland ambitions. He theorizes about the practical limits of such financial strategies. Charles Clover, the FT's Defence correspondent, reveals how Chinese companies supply drone components to both Russia and Ukraine through complex networks. He highlights legal loopholes and Russian advantages in manufacturing, showcasing the intricate drone war dynamics.
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Limits Of Treasury Leverage
- Europe holds about $2.8tn in U.S. Treasuries and could theoretically threaten sales to pressure Washington.
- Robin Wigglesworth warns such action would be painful for Europe and destabilising globally.
Repatriation Risks Backfire
- Forcing European investors to dump Treasuries would be slow, chaotic and damage global markets.
- Wigglesworth notes repatriation would push the dollar down, the euro up, and likely cause European recessions.
Use Subtle Financial Pressure
- Europe could press leverage quietly by nudging large public pension plans to diversify away from Treasuries.
- Robin Wigglesworth suggests targeted measures or sanctions are less catastrophic than mass selling.