Tangle Podcast — “What happened at Davos?”

Host: Isaac Saul
Episode Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Isaac Saul and the Tangle team dissect the major stories surrounding the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. The central focus is on the high-profile addresses given by U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, set against the backdrop of international tensions over Greenland and shifting dynamics within the global order. The podcast presents arguments and analysis from across the political spectrum and offers insightful commentary on what these developments mean for the U.S., its allies, and the future of global cooperation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Davos, Greenland & Global Tensions

• Overview of Davos:
  • Annual WEF meeting gathers global leaders in business, government, and academia.
  • Aims to foster cooperation on international issues, but is often criticized for elite insularity.
• Backdrop:
  • Ongoing U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland spark tension, especially between the U.S. and Europe.
  • Rising skepticism about America's intentions and criticism from other world leaders.

2. Trump’s Davos Speech: Main Themes & Notable Quotes

• U.S. Strength & Security:
  • Trump positions the U.S. as a steadfast protector of the Western Hemisphere.
  • Reiterates America’s historic policy of opposing outside threats in the Americas:

    “It is, therefore, a core national security interest… we've done it very successfully. We've never been stronger than we are now.” (06:23)

• Greenland, NATO, and Allies:
  • Doubts commitment of NATO allies, suggests U.S. provides disproportionate support:

    “The problem with NATO is that we'll be there for them 100%, but I'm not sure that they'd be there for us if we gave them the call.” (07:11)

  • On U.S.-Canada relations:

    “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us… They should be grateful also, but they're not.” (07:31)

  • On Greenland:
    • Asserts he will not use military force to acquire Greenland, walking back previous ambiguity:

      “I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force.” (09:23)

    • Later claims a “framework of a future deal” after discussions with NATO’s Secretary General.
    • U.S. to withhold planned tariffs on certain NATO countries in exchange for military cooperation in Greenland.

Notable Moment:

• On Canadian PM Mark Carney:

  “I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn't so grateful, but they should be grateful to us.” (07:31)

3. Carney’s Counter-Speech: Canada’s Bid for Middle-Power Alliances

• Carney's Message:
  • Critiques “transactional” foreign policy of great powers.
  • Advocates for “middle powers” (like Canada) to unite, form coalitions, and move past reliance on U.S. hegemony.
  • Asserts the “old order” is gone, call for realism over nostalgia:

    “We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it.” (08:30)

  • Canada now seeking new global partnerships—agreements with China, ASEAN, and South American blocs.

4. Global and Domestic Reactions: Views from Across the Spectrum

The Right

• Themes:
  • Support for Trump’s “tough love” with Europe and belief in America’s defense commitments.
  • View Greenland negotiations as strategic and overdue.
• Quotes:
  • NY Post:

    “Trump was blunt. Europe… has squandered its inheritance... Social Democratic welfare states… propped up by America’s massive defense expenditures.” (13:00)

  • Daniel DiPetras (Washington Examiner):

    “Trump’s speech simply reflected his already well-established views… U.S. allies are spoiled children… The days when U.S. allies operated with a sense of entitlement are over.” (13:53)

The Left

• Themes:
  • Worry about Trump’s challenge to international law and democratic norms.
  • Argue Davos is a potential platform for resistance to Trump’s global ambitions.
• Quotes:
  • Robert Reich (Guardian):

    “I hope the leaders now assembling at Davos speak out against Trump’s tyrannous assault on international laws and rules…” (15:00)

  • Michael B.G. Froman (NYT):

    “The old Davos is dead, and the new Davos is still coming into view. Mr. Trump is making a bid to shape its future.” (16:33)

International Perspectives

• Themes:
  • European commentators see Davos as increasingly irrelevant amidst shifting power dynamics.
  • Canadian columnist Jesse Klein suggests Carney’s “value-based realism” acknowledges the New World Order but lacks concrete policy.
• Quotes:
  • Larry Elliot (Guardian UK):

    “Davos is irrelevant and it seems fitting that Trump should be on hand this week to deliver the coup de grace to the liberal international rules-based order…” (19:10)

Isaac Saul’s Take (20:03)

• Trump’s Greenland Rhetoric:

  • Isaac admits Trump’s walk-back on military force was anticipated but significant:

    “Trump said explicitly that he wouldn't use force to take Greenland, and the way he said it clearly showed he knew it was something he needed to say.” (20:37)

  • Criticizes Trump’s history of moving the Overton window and mixing threats with negotiation tactics.
  • Notes the economic consequences of aggressive talk—mentions Trump’s confusion between “Iceland” and “Greenland” as “astounding” (21:45).

• Substance of the Rest of Trump’s Speech:

  • Standard refrains:
    • Criticism of European energy, trade, migration policies.
    • Exaggerated claims about U.S. achievements (e.g., wind power, NATO, drug prices).
  • Points out factual inaccuracies:

    “He claimed China makes all of the world's wind turbines but never uses them… Actually, China is the world leader in wind power…” (22:45)

• Carney’s Speech: Bold Shift in Canadian Foreign Policy:

  • Praises Carney's open call for “middle powers” to coordinate and push back:

    “Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” (24:21)

  • Highlights Canada’s movement toward alliances beyond the U.S. and Europe (“walking the walk” with new trade pacts).
  • Concludes this is perhaps the “most notable and interesting development of Davos”:

    "Perhaps in two or three years, we'll look back on this speech and scoff. But today, Canada's prime minister got my attention and I was left with a strong sense that he meant what he said…” (26:51)

Dissenting View: Ari Weitzman (27:34)

• Skepticism About Trump's Commitments:

  “Trump forcefully said he wouldn't put boots on the ground… But what do we think he'll say when he comes back home?... Trump will renew his threats the moment he thinks he can get more than he currently has.” (27:37)

• Agrees invasion unlikely, but questions durability of Trump’s disavowal of force.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Trump on Military Force & Greenland:

  “I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force.” — Donald Trump (09:23)

• Carney on the New World Order:

  “We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it.” — Mark Carney, paraphrased by John Law (08:30)

• Isaac on Canada’s Speech:

  “For all the talk of Greenland and Europe and Venezuela, this to me seemed like the most notable... One of our oldest and geographically closest allies... promised to collect as much power as possible to be able to stand up to us when they can.” (26:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:01] — Isaac Saul: Episode introduction and overview
• [06:21] — Donald Trump: Excerpts from Davos speech
• [07:46] — John Law: Explanation and context of Davos developments
• [12:12] — John Law: Conservative (right) reactions and analysis
• [15:00] — John Law: Progressive (left) reactions and analysis
• [18:54] — John Law: International writers’ perspectives
• [20:03] — Isaac Saul: Host’s Take & Commentary
• [27:34] — Ari Weitzman: Staff dissent to Isaac’s analysis

Conclusion

This episode offers a thorough breakdown of the political drama at Davos, focusing on the friction between the U.S. and its allies over Greenland, Europe’s future, and the shifting strategies of middle powers like Canada. Trump’s bluster and eventual de-escalation, contrasted with Carney’s call for a new multi-polar world order, frame a changing landscape in global politics. The Tangle team’s structured analysis and inclusion of viewpoints across the spectrum make this a comprehensive summary for anyone looking to understand what really happened at Davos in 2026.