WSJ What’s News: "What the U.S. Could Gain in Greenland Talks"

Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Luke Vargas, with reporting from Emma Tucker, Georgy Kontchev, and others

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the unfolding negotiations over Greenland, the diplomatic aftermath of President Trump's abrupt change in strategy regarding the island, and broader themes from the World Economic Forum in Davos. It also covers domestic stories, including new ICE tactics in Maine and the latest annual airline rankings. The episode weaves together fast-moving global diplomacy, business intrigue, and on-the-ground U.S. policy shifts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Greenland Negotiations: Evolving U.S.-Denmark-EU Relations

• Backdrop:
  President Trump has recently dropped threats to forcibly acquire Greenland and lifted related tariff threats on European nations. Negotiation details are emerging from Davos.

  • Possible deal points:
    • Stationing of U.S. troops at Danish Greenland bases
    • European commitment to boosting Arctic security
    • The U.S. securing "right of first refusal" on Greenland‘s critical mineral investments

• Strategic Significance:

  • According to WSJ reporter Georgy Kontchev:

    "The idea is to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold, whether it's economically or militarily. The US would have this initial preemptive ability to block investments and moves by Russian or Chinese entities in Greenland's kind of mining sector." (01:42)

  • Greenland represents vital geological resources (25 out of the EU’s 34 critical materials), but the environment remains difficult for rapid exploitation.

2. European Response and Diplomatic Relief

• Mood at Davos:
  • Denmark’s foreign minister characterized Trump’s de-escalation as a relief, suggesting negotiations had “ended on a better note than it began.”
  • Finnish President Alexander Stubb struck a cautious note:

    "I obviously don't think that the situation is over, but the worst pressure has been diffused... We're now somewhere between the good and the bad." (02:36)

  • Davos attendees experienced a “rollercoaster” but were ultimately relieved that conflict was averted.

3. Davos Takeaways: American Economic Power and Global Jockeying

• Inside the Davos "Bubble":
  • WSJ Editor in Chief Emma Tucker described a lively but pragmatic environment:

    "Most of the CEOs and attendees here secretly, they rather like being where the action is... so long as they can still have their dinners and their drinks parties... then they're happy." (03:17)

  • Stark difference in vibes between U.S. and European CEOs:

    "America is indisputably the economic powerhouse of the world and the west in particular... Whereas the Europeans... realize that it's not enough just to talk about Europe defending itself... they really now have to put their money where their mouth is." (04:02)

• China’s Position at Davos:
  • Despite speculation about Europe pivoting toward China, Tucker downplayed this:

    "I think this is hyperbolic talk... it's too simplistic to simply say, well, China is now from now going to act as the good guy. I think people aren't quite that naive." (04:46)

4. CEO Concerns: Trump’s Policy Agenda & the AI Era

• Trump's Affordability Push:
  • Measures like capping credit card interest rates were unpopular among CEOs:

    "[The] credit card proposal has gone down very badly here." (05:34)

• Evolving AI Debates:
  • Excitement remains high about productivity, but concerns over societal impact are growing:
    • Dario Amodei (Anthropic CEO, paraphrased): Future could bring “unbelievably high growth and productivity alongside very, very high unemployment.” (05:56)
    • This raises questions for policymakers and businesses about societal adaptation.

5. Immigration Enforcement in Maine: New ICE Tactics

• Legal Change:
  • ICE is now entering homes with “administrative warrants” without judicial signatures, detailed in a secret memo.
  • DHS claims only those with final orders of removal are targeted.
• Portland Mayor Mark Dayon's View:

  “Our communities feel anxious and fearful. They see this action as unpredictable and a threat to their families.” (00:36)

• Federal-State Tension:
  • ICE’s Patricia Hyde countered local non-cooperation:

    “They ban their law enforcement from partnering or even communicating with ICE. And when law enforcement doesn't communicate with law enforcement, that puts our communities in danger.” (09:14)

• Context:
  • Maine has relatively few undocumented immigrants but has seen a recent influx and has notable African refugee populations.

6. Other U.S. Policy & Business Headlines

• U.S. Push for Cuba Regime Change:
  • The Trump administration seeks “regime change in Cuba by the end of the year,” searching for insiders as Cuba’s economy teeters (09:25).
• Air Force One Update:
  • Boeing’s new jet for Air Force One is on track for delivery after technical troubles with current aircraft (10:23).

7. 2025 Airline Rankings: Turbulence and Triumphs

• Southwest Airlines Crowned:
  • First in fewest customer complaints and tarmac delays, strong overall reliability (11:08).
• Industry Outlook:
  • Despite "multiple asteroids" of challenges per United's CFO, industry averages for cancellations and delays were flat compared to 2024 (12:05).
• Notable Moment:
  • Soundbite from Allison Poley:

    "Maybe your flight was canceled during the government shutdown or there was bad weather that left you very delayed... So this year's losers tied and it was American Airlines and Frontier." (11:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Georgy Kontchev on U.S. Strategy in Greenland:

  "The US would have this initial preemptive ability to block investments and moves by Russian or Chinese entities in Greenland's mining sector..." (01:41)

• Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Post-Deal Relief:

  "We're now somewhere between the good and the bad." (02:36)

• Emma Tucker on Davos Mood:

  "There's a sort of excitement to being at the place where everybody is talking about... so long as they can still have their dinners and their drinks parties... they're happy." (03:17)

• AI, The Double-Edged Sword (Dario Amodei paraphrased):

  "...a future where you have unbelievably high growth and very, very high productivity alongside very, very high unemployment." (05:56)

• Portland Mayor Mark Dayon on ICE's Actions:

  "Our communities feel anxious and fearful. They see this action as unpredictable and a threat to their families." (00:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Greenland Deal Details & Strategic Stakes: 00:45 - 02:19
• European Reactions at Davos: 02:19 - 03:17
• Davos CEO Mood & Global Economic Dynamics: 03:17 - 04:46
• Trump’s Policy & CEO Reactions: 05:19 - 06:47
• New ICE Tactics in Maine: 07:51 - 09:25
• U.S. Policy & Airline Rankings: 09:25 - 12:32

Conclusion

This episode delivers a brisk, insightful look at the intersection between U.S. power projection (in Greenland and globally), economic sentiment at Davos, shifting immigration tactics, and the ever-present realities of American business — both in the skies and on the global stage. Expert voices and on-the-ground reporting provide a vivid sense of the stakes and shifting sands geopolitically, economically, and socially.