French President Emmanuel Macron
US President Donald Trump‘s pledges to provoke a sweeping tariff fight with Europe to get his way in taking control of Greenland has left many of America’s closest allies warning of a rupture with Washington that would shatter the NATO alliance that had once seemed unshakable.
The European Union‘s top official on Tuesday called Trump’s planned new tariffs over Greenland a “mistake” and questioned Trump’s trustworthiness.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU could retaliate against its long-standing ally by deploying one of its most powerful economic tools, known colloquially as a trade “bazooka”.
Trump prides himself on ratcheting up pressure to try and negotiate through a position of strength. He is slated to leave on Tuesday — the anniversary of his inauguration — for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a venue that could give him the chance to defuse tensions as quickly as he has sought to stir them up.
French President Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron is seen during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026(U.S. Navy via AP)

During a speech delivered to lawmakers at the British Parliament on Tuesday, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his intentions to “calm the waters” amidst tensions stirred by former President Trump’s controversial interest in acquiring Greenland. This ambition has caused a ripple in the trans-Atlantic relationship, prompting Johnson to address the matter directly.

Johnson emphasized the enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom, highlighting the historical ability of both nations to navigate their differences amicably. “We have always been able to work through our differences calmly, as friends,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to maintaining this tradition of diplomacy and cooperation. “We will continue to do that,” he assured the assembly, seeking to reinforce the strength of the longstanding alliance.

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