Cabot Phillips

Now, they could also take a more subdued approach and simply back out of the previously agreed on U.S.

and EU trade deal.

But more broadly, to give you an idea of how the Europeans are responding, listen to Ursula von der Leyen.

She's the head of the EU and told the conference Tuesday that the new threat of tariffs from Trump was an act of betrayal.

California governor and 2028 hopeful Gavin Newsom also made an appearance in Davos, challenging European leaders to push back against President Trump with some pretty spicy language.

Yeah, that is putting it lightly.

Now, zooming out here, it's important to remember when Trump first threatened his Liberation Day tariffs back in April, European leaders almost universally slammed the president.

They vowed to retaliate with tariffs of their own.

rather than giving in to his demands.

Basically, they said, we'll never get on board here.

But that simply did not happen.

Country after country and Europe ultimately signed on to new trade deals that were largely favorable to the US.

Now, Trump seemingly is very confident that he can once again use the threat of tariffs to get what he wants, in this case, Greenland.

He posted on social media this week that, quote, Greenland is imperative for national and world security.

There can be no going back.

And then later, he posted an AI-generated image on social media of himself,

J.D.

Vance and Marco Rubio hoisting an American flag on top of a mountain with a sign that reads, quote, Greenland, U.S.

territory established 2026.

Not exactly subtle there.