By Ayomide Otitoju
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday hailed the United States as the “economic engine of the planet” while addressing global CEOs at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF), marking the first anniversary of his return to the White House.
Trump lauded the U.S. economy’s performance under his administration, citing surging productivity, rising incomes, and low inflation. “Over the past three months, core inflation has been just about 1.6 per cent, while fourth-quarter growth is projected at 4.6 per cent — far beyond expectations,” he said.
Highlighting investment gains, Trump announced that the U.S. had secured $18 trillion in investments, potentially reaching $20 trillion, and projected economic growth at double the rate forecast by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “When America booms, the world booms. When we go down, the world goes down with us,” he said.
Trump contrasted his administration’s achievements with the previous government, asserting that under President Biden, the U.S. faced “stagflation, low growth, and high inflation,” describing his own policies as having triggered a “dramatic economic turnaround.”
He also took aim at Europe’s economic direction, stating that certain regions “are not even recognisable anymore,” while emphasizing his respect for the continent.
Trump’s visit to Davos comes amid escalating tensions with European allies over his push to secure Greenland, a mineral-rich Danish territory. The President has framed Greenland as strategically vital for U.S. and NATO security amid Arctic competition with Russia and China.
The U.S. leader’s stance has drawn sharp responses from Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron described Trump’s threats of tariffs on European nations supporting Denmark as “unacceptable,” while European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde criticized U.S. actions as “very strange” for an ally.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the need for “thoughtful diplomacy,” acknowledging rising tensions over Greenland. France signaled readiness to participate in NATO exercises on the island, further highlighting the growing strain between Washington and its European partners.
Trump’s proposals have triggered the deepest rift between the U.S. and Europe in decades, with potential tariffs of up to 25 per cent looming over eight European countries that oppose U.S. claims. Lagarde warned that such threats undermine the spirit of long-standing alliances under the North Atlantic Treaty.
Trump’s appearance at the WEF underscores his efforts to project U.S. economic strength while navigating growing geopolitical friction over Greenland and transatlantic relations.
