Marketplace Morning Report: "Trump's Greenland ambitions dominate Davos"

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: William Lee Adams (BBC World Service), David Brancaccio
Correspondents: Faisal Islam, Megan Lawton
Main Guests: Gary Cohn (IBM), Duncan Edwards (British American Business), Yasushi Kaneko (Japan's Minister for Tourism), Dr. Jasmine Escalera (Career Coach), Deborah Hudson (Employment Lawyer)

Episode Overview

The January 20, 2026 episode dives into the dramatic impact of President Trump's ambitions regarding Greenland on the World Economic Forum in Davos, tariffs and trade tensions with Europe, shifting tourism trends in Asia, and the emerging phenomenon of "ghost jobs" in labor markets. As global business leaders gather in Switzerland, uncertainty dominates—not just on geopolitics, but also in the world of work.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Davos Overshadowed by Trump's Greenland Push

[00:01–01:50]

• The ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos is dominated by concern over President Trump's assertive stance on Greenland.
• European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula, oppose US attempts to acquire Greenland and threaten retaliatory tariffs.
• Gary Cohn, former Trump economic adviser and now IBM exec, provides inside perspective:
  • He suggests the US might expand its military presence in Greenland, but direct intervention in a NATO member is "over the edge."

Notable Quote:

"I think Greenland will be happy to have us have a larger military presence there, but...invading a country that doesn't want to be invaded, that's part of a militaristic alliance, NATO, seems to me to be a little bit over the edge at this point."
—Gary Cohn, [01:09]

• The mood among US and European business leaders at Davos is unsettled, with trade and inflation worries returning.

2. Tariff Threats and Business Reaction

[01:50–02:38]

• With the threat of new tariffs looming, Duncan Edwards (British American Business) warns:
  • Businesses had just reached a semblance of post-tariff stability, but Trump’s new threats upend things again.
  • Edwards expresses hope that negotiations will play out and the tariffs will not be enacted.

Notable Quote:

"To have the threat of new tariffs suddenly coming as a New Year's present is extremely unhelpful...I personally think we still have a very good chance that this doesn't happen."
—Duncan Edwards, [02:04]

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant urges Europe not to escalate with retaliation.

3. Global Markets & Economic News

[02:38–03:47]

• European markets are reacting nervously; the Stoxx 600 index falls for a second consecutive day.
• Renault reports strong year-over-year sales increase, mainly from outside Europe.
• Japan sees record foreign tourist numbers in 2025, but a steep drop (-45%) in Chinese visitors in December is noted.

Notable Quote:

"The number of visitors from China in December decreased by around 45% compared to...the previous year. However, the total number of visitors...reached a record high."
—Yasushi Kaneko, [03:29]

4. The Rise of Ghost Jobs in the Labor Market

[03:47–06:45]

• "Ghosting" isn't just a dating trend—it’s now prevalent in the job market, with fake or stagnant job postings and unresponsive employers.
• Eric Thompson (tech professional) shares his experience of repeated job market ghosting after redundancy.
• The issue prompts grassroots lobbying for a "Truth in Job Advertising Act" in the US, requiring expiration dates and penalties for misleading postings.
• In the UK, similar problems are discussed by Eilish (marketing professional), who describes being "ghosted" by both small and large employers.
• Hiring platform Greenhouse estimates 1 in 3 UK postings may be ghost jobs.
• Dr. Jasmine Escalera (Miami) confirms that ghost jobs distort employment policy data and can harm job seekers' well-being.

Notable Quotes:

"I've been ghosted by small businesses and I've also been ghosted by big corporations."
—Eilish, [04:54]

"They might be posting these positions to actually create a talent pool, but they also could potentially be inflating numbers."
—Dr. Jasmine Escalera, [05:25]

• Canadian provinces, such as Ontario, move to regulate, requiring updates for candidates and disclosure of genuine openings (Deborah Hudson, [06:15]).

5. Tips and Outlook for Job Seekers

[06:30–06:45]

• Experts advise vigilance for red flags: jobs reposted repeatedly or left open for months may be "ghost" listings.

"Until measures come into place, career experts suggest job seekers should watch for red flags, roles reposted again and again, or listings left open for months." —Megan Lawton, [06:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gary Cohn on Greenland Tensions:
  "Invading a country that doesn't want to be invaded...NATO, seems to me to be a little bit over the edge at this point." [01:09, speaker: Gary Cohn]

• Duncan Edwards on Business Uncertainty:
  "To have the threat of new tariffs suddenly coming as a New Year's present is extremely unhelpful." [02:04, speaker: Duncan Edwards]

• Yasushi Kaneko on Tourism Trends:
  "The number of visitors from China in December decreased by around 45% compared to...the previous year." [03:29, speaker: Yasushi Kaneko]

• Job Seeker Eilish on Ghosting Experiences:
  "I've been ghosted by small businesses and I've also been ghosted by big corporations." [04:54, speaker: Eilish]

• Dr. Jasmine Escalera on Ghost Jobs:
  "They might be posting these positions to actually create a talent pool, but they also could potentially be inflating numbers." [05:25, speaker: Dr. Jasmine Escalera]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 – Opening: Davos & the Greenland Agenda
• 01:09 – Gary Cohn on US Motives, NATO
• 02:04 – Duncan Edwards on Tariff Anxiety
• 02:38 – European Markets Reaction, Global Economic Updates
• 03:29 – Japan's Record Tourism vs. Collapse in Chinese Visitors
• 03:47 – Ghost Jobs Explained; Eric Thompson's Story
• 04:54 – Eilish Discusses Being Ghosted
• 05:25 – Dr. Escalera on Why Ghost Jobs Exist
• 06:15 – Ontario’s New Employment Law
• 06:45 – Jobseeker Advice, Segment Close

Overall Tone

The mood is tense and uncertain—mirroring sentiments in Davos—amid simmering trade disputes, transatlantic diplomatic friction, and a shifting landscape for workers. The speakers mix cautious optimism (about dodging new tariffs) with concern (about job market fairness and genuine opportunity).

Useful for Listeners

This summary equips listeners with:

• The geopolitical context shaping economic headlines
• How Greenland unexpectedly became a global flashpoint
• Ongoing instability from protectionism and trade war concerns
• Practical insights about job market pitfalls and evolving government responses

For global business, labor, and policy watchers, the episode is both a realtime snapshot and a cautionary note for what’s ahead in 2026.