WSJ What’s News: “Davos Braces for Greenland Showdown After Trump Posts”

Date: January 20, 2026
Host: Kaitlyn McCabe
Guests: Marcus Walker (WSJ Editor), Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Danish Foreign Minister), James McIntosh (WSJ Markets Columnist), Julie Jargan (WSJ Family & Tech Columnist)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the escalating geopolitical clash between President Trump and European leaders over his renewed push to acquire Greenland, just as world leaders converge at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It unpacks the diplomatic fallout, possible military and economic consequences, European reactions, potential trade conflict, and the muted reaction of financial markets. The episode closes with a science-backed segment on the best wake-up times for productivity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland Gambit and Diplomatic Fallout

• Trump Doubles Down: President Trump reiterated plans to acquire Greenland via a series of Truth Social posts, arguing the U.S. is the "only country that can ensure peace." (00:18–01:14)
• Escalating Tensions: Trump’s posts followed increased friction with European allies; he is set to meet with Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) and others at Davos.
• Leaked Macron Message: Trump publicized a text exchange with French President Emmanuel Macron expressing confusion over the U.S. position on Greenland.
• European Pushback: France’s spokesperson accused the U.S. of “crossing a new threshold of coercion.”
• Danish Reaction:

  "You have a desire, you have a vision, you have a request, but you will never be able to achieve that by putting pressure on us."
  —Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish Foreign Minister (02:10–02:38)

2. Rapid Diplomatic Maneuvers

• Emergency EU Summit: Europeans plan to meet in Brussels on Thursday, ahead of more leader meetings in Davos. (02:48–03:00)
• Tariffs Threat: Trump threatens tariffs on some European products from February 1 and 200% tariffs on French wine/champagne unless France supports his “Board of Peace for Gaza.” (03:30–03:40)
• Trust Collapse:

  “The fear on the European side is that the commitment that's needed as the glue is simply no longer there. Even if a compromise is found on the Greenland issue, things will never be the same. A line has been crossed here because of Trump's willingness really to consider all options, including force against the US's own allies.”
  —Marcus Walker (04:27–05:25)

3. NATO’s Trust Crisis & Transatlantic Uncertainty

• NATO at Stake: NATO depends as much on trust as on hardware, and Trump’s moves—prioritizing U.S. interests and control over Greenland—are shaking this foundation. (04:14–04:55)
• Transatlantic Divorce: Europe faces the massive economic and strategic costs of decoupling from the U.S.—from trade and exports to defense spending and military alliances. (05:37–06:57)

4. How a Trade War Might Unfold

• Tariffs Impact: If tariffs happen, both sides—particularly American consumers and businesses—will feel the pinch.

  “Tariffs are overwhelmingly paid by Americans ... they are a tax on Americans. However, they also harm exporters from other countries because as the price of imported goods go up so sales go down.”
  —Marcus Walker (07:06–08:03)

• Europe’s ‘Bazooka’ Option: The EU has an “anti-coercion instrument” to levy further tariffs against American businesses, but most Europeans want to de-escalate.

5. Market Reactions: Wariness But Little Panic

• Market Moves: European/Asian stocks sell off, gold/silver reach new highs, but U.S. stocks could see a significant drop when markets reopen. (09:27–10:07)

• Investor Psychology:

  • Last year’s trade war didn’t shake the markets or real-world investment as much as expected.
  • Investors may suspect Trump is bluffing or lacks legal power to execute his threats—Congress isn’t supportive; courts may intervene.
  • "The worst case is that the US actually invades. At the moment that's not on the cards ... that would be an absolute end of NATO moment."
    —James McIntosh (10:19–11:14)

• Upcoming Watch Points:

  • Supreme Court may rule on the legality of Trump’s tariffs (11:32).
  • Davos interview with Anthropic CEO Dario Amadei, and Netflix earnings report.

6. Science of Wake Up Times

• Debunking the 5am Myth: Majority of people (so-called “bears”) are most productive waking up with the sun, not at 5am.
• Three Chronotypes:
  • Larks: 15-20% of people, naturally wake up early (6–6:30am)
  • Owls: 15-20%, skew late/sleep in
  • Bears: 55–65%, wake naturally around sunrise (12:38–13:25)
• Practical Tips:
  • Consistency is key—wake at the same time on weekdays and weekends to avoid social jet lag.
  • Light in the morning, avoid late caffeine/alcohol, regular routine.

  “If you do want to be on the 5am bandwagon, it’s only going to work if you wake up at 5am on weekdays and weekends ... if you sleep in on the weekends, you end up feeling jet lagged.”
  —Julie Jargan (13:37–13:56)

• Quiz: Listeners can find a link in show notes to determine their chronotype.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Danish Foreign Minister) [02:10]:
  "You have a desire, you have a vision, you have a request, but you will never be able to achieve that by putting pressure on us.”

• Marcus Walker (WSJ Editor) [04:27 & 05:25]:
  "The Atlantic alliance ... has always relied as much on trust ... as on its military infrastructure. That part of it is really coming under fire and into increasing doubt."
  "Even if a compromise is found on the Greenland issue, things will never be the same. A line has been crossed here because of Trump's willingness really to consider all options, including force against the US's own allies."

• James McIntosh (WSJ Markets Columnist) [11:14]:
  "At the moment that's not on the cards. President Trump says he wants to buy it, but if the US started sending troops there, that would be an absolute sort of end of NATO moment..."

• Julie Jargan (Family & Tech Columnist) [13:37]:
  "No matter what time you need to wake up in the morning, the goal is to be consistent about it ... if you sleep in on the weekends, you end up feeling jet lagged."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Escalates Greenland Issue – 00:18–01:21
• French & Danish Reactions – 01:21–02:38
• Diplomatic Developments Recap (Marcus Walker) – 02:48–04:14
• Trust Crisis in NATO/Atlantic Alliance – 04:14–05:25
• Transatlantic Economic Security Risks – 05:37–06:57
• How Tariffs Impact Each Side – 07:06–08:36
• Markets Outlook & Analysis (James McIntosh) – 09:27–11:32
• Legal, Political, and Event Calendar – 11:32–12:11
• Optimal Wake-Up Times: Science & Tips (Julie Jargan) – 12:38–13:56

Summary

The episode illustrates the unprecedented strain in transatlantic relations as President Trump’s push to acquire Greenland triggers diplomatic and economic confrontations. European leaders signal strong resistance, fearing a breakdown of trust at the heart of NATO, while markets remain cautiously calm, anticipating either de-escalation or intervention by courts or Congress. Alongside these heavy topics, the show offers accessible science on how best to personalize your waking hours, reinforcing the importance of routine over mimicking the “CEO 5am” myth.