Economist Podcasts: "Grave new world: the Greenland row’s lasting damage"

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Rosie Bloor
Correspondents: Tom Nuttall, Lane Greene, Tom Wainwright

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the whirlwind week in transatlantic relations following Donald Trump's threats over Greenland, the fallout and future for US-European diplomacy, a pivotal moment in the TikTok saga, and an analysis of the increasingly somber mood in global pop music. The mix ranges from high-stakes geopolitics to the cultural undercurrents shaping mainstream music.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Greenland Row and Transatlantic Turmoil

[01:15–10:31]

Recap & Escalation

• Donald Trump threatened tariffs on NATO allies who opposed his plan to acquire Greenland, dramatically raising tensions at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

• Trump's speech included lambasting European leaders and confusion between Greenland and Iceland, adding to the diplomatic spectacle.

  “I love Europe and I want to see Europe go good, but it's not heading in the right direction... Iceland, that I can tell you.”
  — Lane Greene imitating Trump's comments ([02:36])

De-escalation & Uncertain Resolutions

• Trump later declared the US would not take Greenland by force and dropped the tariff threat, stating instead that a deal was "in the offing."

• Tom Nuttall summarizes the European mood:

  “We are waking up this morning with a severe sense of whiplash. It's been the most extraordinary week in transatlantic relations, even by the standards of Donald Trump.”
  — Tom Nuttall ([03:25])

• There is mention of a vague "framework for some sort of deal" between the US and NATO. Details are slim and any substantial agreement depends on further negotiations, notably with Denmark and Greenland's self-government.

  “At most, this is the beginning of something, not the end of something.”
  — Tom Nuttall ([05:19])

Sovereignty & Trade Aftershocks

• Denmark stands firm: no sale of Greenland, no breach of sovereignty.

• Fallout impacts broader EU-US trade relations. An EU-US trade deal was already skewed in America’s favor. Ratification pending, now frozen as EU leaders assess their stance.

  “I haven't seen any indication on whether they'll resume work on ratifying it... Another unknown is what's going to happen to a threat we were hearing from the Europeans to slap tariffs on 93 billion euros worth of American imports...”
  — Tom Nuttall ([06:17])

Lessons & Long-Term Shifts

• The episode marks a psychological turning point for Europe’s dealings with America—moving from appeasement to more assertive, “hardball” tactics.

  “When we put credible threats on the table to retaliate to this, then we get results... The EU is a very powerful trade player when it can get its act together.”
  — Tom Nuttall ([08:30])

• Europeans are questioning reliance on the US for defense and as a NATO partner, especially concerning support for Ukraine and intelligence sharing.

  “If America has proved itself so unreliable over Greenland... then how reliable a partner might it be in the event of some sort of ceasefire with Ukraine?”
  — Tom Nuttall ([09:49])

2. The TikTok Deal: A Quiet End to a Prolonged Saga

[12:04–17:55]

• Summary of US efforts to force TikTok’s separation from Chinese ownership—timeline stretching from Trump’s 2020 ban attempt to current "deal" mandating Americans principally control the US arm of TikTok.

• ByteDance (Chinese parent) will retain up to 20% ownership, a board seat, and ongoing influence through royalties and shared infrastructure.

  “ByteDance may not own the car any longer, but it still owns the engine.”
  — Analyst quoted by Tom Wainwright ([15:30])

• US political appetite to act on TikTok has waned—even as usage and therefore risks (data, influence on news consumption) have grown.

  “Congress just can't seem to muster much fresh indignation about this... TikTok worries have diminished, but I don't think that's because TikTok is any less dangerous than it was. I think it's because America faces many more dangers than it used to.”
  — Tom Wainwright ([16:53], [17:47])

3. The Rise of Sadness in Pop Music

[18:15–23:37]

• Lane Greene discusses the increasing prevalence of melancholy, angst, and heartbreak in top-charting music globally.

• AI analysis by MusicMatch and academic studies both show a marked increase in "downbeat" moods in pop lyrics over recent decades, especially since 2020.

• External events like global crises do not explain the trend; instead, shifts seem rooted in audience tastes.

  “The drift towards more downbeat music has been long-lasting... This is a long-term trend that doesn't seem to be reacting to short-term changes.”
  — Lane Greene ([21:01])

• Examples include Billie Eilish's “Everything I Wanted,” as well as the worldwide hit “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.

  “If you notice that the Top of the Pops sounds bluer than it used to, the issue may not lie with the artists, but with the listless listeners and their darkening moods.”
  — Lane Greene ([23:14])

• Despite gloomier lyrics, positive themes like love and empowerment remain present in pop, though hope has declined.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Greenland spectacle:
  “We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force... But I won't do that.”
  — Lane Greene imitating Trump ([03:02–03:14])

• Psychological fallout in Europe:
  “There’s more value in playing hardball with the Americans than we might previously have seen.”
  — Tom Nuttall ([08:35])

• On the illusion of resolving TikTok’s risks:
  “The risk has got higher than it was before... more of them are using it for news. So the risk of manipulation is more severe than it was in the past. But Congress just can't seem to muster much fresh indignation about this.”
  — Tom Wainwright ([16:53])

• Pop music’s cultural pulse:
  “Sad sells... people seem to be seeking out gloomier music.”
  — Lane Greene ([19:25]; [22:39])

Timestamps for Key Sections

• Greenland/NATO/Europe crisis & fallout: [01:15–10:31]
• The TikTok saga—resolution & risk: [12:04–17:55]
• Chart pop gloom: lyrics & listener tastes: [18:15–23:37]

Tone and Style

The episode is incisive and wry, balancing factual reporting with subtle humor and direct commentary—especially in re-enactments of Trump’s rhetoric and the slightly sardonic exploration of pop culture trends.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Greenland row was less a resolved diplomatic crisis and more an inflection point in US-Europe relations, prompting European leaders to reconsider their long-term security and trade strategies.
• The TikTok drama illustrates the US’s conflicted approach to strategic tech policy and the erosion of political unity around national security threats when larger domestic concerns take precedence.
• Music trends, illuminated through a data-driven and cultural lens, reveal not only industry shifts but also the evolving psyche of global listeners—reflecting broader societal moods and, perhaps, anxieties.