The Globalist – Trump Climbs Down from Escalating Greenland Threats

Podcast: The Globalist
Host: Emma Nelson (Monocle)
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the aftermath of President Trump’s unexpected climbdown on his threats regarding Greenland’s ownership and related trade tariffs. With global leaders gathered in Davos and EU officials strategizing in Brussels, Monocle’s correspondents and expert guests unpack the latest geopolitical twists, Europe’s new-found unity, the impact on everyday Greenlanders, and shifting alliances in global politics and business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland U-Turn and the EU’s Response

[01:17–10:15]

• President Trump announced a “framework” for Greenland after talks with NATO’s Secretary General, saying he would not move forward with plans for new trade tariffs aimed at European allies.
• The move is seen as a climbdown from both military and economic threats relating to Greenland.
• Stefan de Vries (European Affairs Correspondent, Euronews/BNR) joins from Amsterdam to dissect the ambiguous “deal.”
  • Quote:
    “It was sort of absurdist theater... a rambling stew of half truth, fantasy and improvisation.”
    — Stefan de Vries [03:31]
• The agreement’s contents are unclear, and skepticism abounds. Stefan warns Trump may reverse himself yet again after landing in the U.S.
• EU’s 27 leaders gather in Brussels under the shadow of Trump’s unpredictability, with the primary agenda being the state of transatlantic relations.
• Notably, the EU showed rare unity, particularly with strong stances from France and Germany and the threat of the “bazooka”—a package of retaliatory measures.
  • Quote:
    “The mere fact of talking about this package, the bazooka, apparently was enough to make Donald Trump back down.”
    — Stefan de Vries [06:38]
• Even Europe’s populist parties appear unsettled by Trump’s approach, signaling a shift away from their usual affinity for him.

2. Europe’s Geopolitical Awakening

[07:31–11:32]

• Ursula von der Leyen is quoted on the seismic and permanent shift in the international order.
• Stefan emphasizes that Europe has repeatedly tried to maintain the old rules-based relationship with the U.S., but now accepts that unpredictability is the new normal.
  • Quote:
    “Trump uses economic tools as geopolitical weapons... it is like explaining the rules of football to somebody who is playing chess or badminton, he is simply not listening.”
    — Stefan de Vries [08:20]
• The episode marks a perceived ending of the post-WWII U.S.-Europe paradigm.

3. Davos Dispatch: Rumors, Reactions, and Real Estate Trends

[11:32–20:22]

• Carlotta Rebelo (Monocle Senior Foreign Correspondent) reports live from Davos, describing global confusion over Trump’s so-called Greenland-Arctic “forever deal.”
  • No concrete details—“everyone this morning is trying to find out the details.” [12:19]
  • Trump’s arrival was a spectacle, overwhelming security and logistical arrangements.
  • U.S. officials have been combative behind closed doors; e.g., ECB chief walking out of a dinner meeting after sharp critique from Americans.
  • U.S. political drama spills over, with California Governor Gavin Newsom denied entry to USA House.
• Brief segment with Laura Heinz Pierce and David Steinbach (Hines, real estate firm):
  • 2026 marks an optimistic “reset” for real estate markets, especially premium office and living sectors.
  • Quote:
    “Really what we're seeing is that this is really a reset moment for real estate.”
    — Laura Heinz Pierce [16:56]
  • Growing optimism for office space, student housing in Europe, and multifamily in the U.S.

4. Life at the Geopolitical Epicenter: Nuuk’s Mayor Speaks

[21:22–28:03]

• Monocle’s Andrew Muller talks with Averak Olsson, Mayor of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
  • The community's mood has shifted from curiosity to widespread anxiety due to the drama involving Trump and the U.S.
    • “It started with few people actually worried... everybody worries. A lot of people are anxious...”
      — Averak Olsson [22:32]
  • Social media panic is widespread; language barriers exacerbate fear and misinformation.
  • Recent anti-Trump demonstrations in Nuuk were the largest in Greenland’s history.
  • U.S. political actors (Donald Trump Jr. & Charlie Kirk) seen handing out money to youth for pro-America social media stunts, which heightened local anger.
    • “They did hand out hundred dollar bills on the street and, and that made people very angry.”
      — Averak Olsson [25:17]
  • Despite the stress, the global spotlight brings positive attention and tourism to Greenland.

5. European Unity, Ambition, and Africa’s Mega-Airport

[29:25–34:28]

• Alexandra Tertzio (Magpie Advisory/Atlantic Council) walks through:
  • Ethiopia’s plans to build Africa’s largest airport (Zaha Hadid Architects), projecting the country as a future strategic hub.
  • “Africa, and to an extent, Ethiopia, is growing an aspiring role as a global hub...”
    — Alexandra Tertzio [31:45]
  • Kenya’s revised Refugees Act, enabling local government participation for over 185,000 Kakuma camp residents—a step towards integrating refugees at the political level.
  • “It reflects the idea to an extent that refugee camps are not kind of temporary, politically static spaces, but communities with legitimate civic interests.”
    — Alexandra Tertzio [37:00]
  • Lighter note: jacket potatoes’ resurgence as a comfort food in uncertain times.

6. Asia Pacific Focus: Taiwan’s Political Stalemate

[40:24–44:49]

• William Yang (International Crisis Group, Taipei) explains Taiwan’s legislative gridlock:
  • Opposition parties are using every parliamentary tool to block government defense spending, partly in response to both U.S. pressure and skepticism over Trump’s reliability.
  • Domestic polarization is growing as China increases military pressure, while U.S. strategic support seems less predictable.
  • “[The opposition] have even accused the opposition party of basically paralyzing the Constitutional Court...”
    — William Yang [41:36]
  • “Taiwan’s defense budget...is going to be 3.25% of GDP...by 2030, 5% of its GDP, basically matching the NATO model.”
    — William Yang [43:13]

7. Rift in the Gulf: Saudi-UAE Media War Over Yemen

[46:06–52:58]

• Indaman Rashid (Monocle’s Gulf Correspondent, Dubai) discusses how Saudi state media is attacking the UAE over Yemen policy for the first time, marking a significant shift in Gulf relations.
  • “Saudi news channels are openly airing accusations of human rights abuses and political betrayal at the UAE, a departure from what is probably quite usually a careful and dignified tone...”
    — Indaman Rashid [48:54]
  • War of words now dominates both traditional broadcast and social media; state media remains powerful in the region.

8. Culture News: Warner Brothers Bids, Opera’s Woes

[53:22–58:25]

• Sophie Monaghan Coombs (Monocle Culture Editor) reviews:
  • Netflix’s intensified (all-cash) bid for Warner Brothers, setting up a fierce standoff with Paramount/Skydance.
  • “Netflix has changed its offer...now become an all cash offer. And what this means is that it kind of gives confidence to investors...”
    — Sophie Monaghan Coombs [53:39]
  • The Metropolitan Opera’s deepening financial crisis post-pandemic, compounded by an unrealized $200m Saudi partnership and the broader challenges of making opera viable for younger, international audiences.
  • The difficulty of social media in drawing new crowds to such demanding art forms.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:31 | Stefan de Vries | “It was sort of absurdist theater... a rambling stew of half truth, fantasy and improvisation.” | | 06:38 | Stefan de Vries | “The mere fact of talking about this package, the bazooka, apparently was enough to make Donald Trump back down.”| | 08:20 | Stefan de Vries | "Trump uses economic tools as geopolitical weapons... like explaining the rules of football to somebody playing chess..." | | 12:19 | Carlotta Rebelo | “Everyone this morning is trying to find out [details of Trump’s ‘deal’].” | | 16:56 | Laura Heinz Pierce | “Really what we're seeing is that this is really a reset moment for real estate.” | | 22:32 | Averak Olsson | “It started with few people actually worried... everybody worries. A lot of people are anxious...” | | 25:17 | Averak Olsson | “They did hand out hundred dollar bills on the street and, and that made people very angry.” | | 31:45 | Alexandra Tertzio | “Africa, and to an extent, Ethiopia, is growing an aspiring role as a global hub...” | | 37:00 | Alexandra Tertzio | “It reflects the idea to an extent that refugee camps are not... static spaces, but communities with legitimate civic interests.” | | 41:36 | William Yang | “[The opposition] have even accused the opposition party of basically paralyzing the Constitutional Court...” | | 43:13 | William Yang | “Taiwan’s defense budget...is going to be 3.25% of GDP...by 2030, 5% of its GDP, basically matching the NATO model.” | | 48:54 | Indaman Rashid | “Saudi news channels are openly airing accusations of human rights abuses and political betrayal at the UAE...” | | 53:39 | Sophie Monaghan Coombs | "Netflix has changed its offer... now become an all cash offer..." |

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:17–10:15] Trump’s retreat and European unity (Stefan de Vries analysis)
• [11:32–20:22] Davos dispatch, real estate trends (Carlotta Rebelo & guests)
• [21:22–28:03] Nuuk’s Mayor Olsson on the local impact of the Greenland crisis
• [29:25–34:28] Africa’s mega-airport, Kenya’s refugee policy (Alexandra Tertzio)
• [40:24–44:49] Taiwan’s legislative deadlock and defense dilemma (William Yang)
• [46:06–52:58] Saudi-UAE media conflict over Yemen (Indaman Rashid)
• [53:22–58:25] Culture desk: media mega-mergers and opera’s financial woes (Sophie Monaghan Coombs)

Conclusion

This rich and detailed episode of The Globalist captures a moment of dramatic change in global affairs—from Trump’s public reversals and the EU’s new assertiveness, to the lived reality of Greenlanders unexpectedly thrust onto the world stage. The coverage is rounded out by economic and cultural commentary, demonstrating the interconnectedness and volatility of today’s geopolitical and social landscape.