President Trump arrives in Switzerland to address World Economic Forum
(NBC, KYMA) - President Donald Trump arrived in Davos, Switzerland Wednesday to address the World Economic Forum, coming face-to-face with many of the European leaders frustrated by his push to take control of Greenland and the tariff threats.
Before taking off, President Trump addressed those tensions in a wide-ranging briefing marking one year into his second term.
The president arrived in Switzerland behind schedule after a minor electrical issue with Air Force One, and he is heading into diplomatic turbulence over his push to take control of Greenland, a strategically-important Danish territory he argues is too vulnerable to threats from China and Russia.
When asked how far he is willing to go to acquire Greenland, Trump said, "You'll find out."
Many European leaders will be in Davos as they weigh countermeasures to Trump's threatened tariffs on Denmark and seven other allies who oppose his efforts to buy Greenland.
"We have no interest in picking a fight, but we will hold our ground," said Kaja Kallas, Foreign Policy Chief for the European Union (EU).
Among the EU's tools to respond, what's known as the "trade bazooka" that could ban U.S. goods from European markets.
The president said, in a new interview, he would match any EU actions.
"It's going to go ricocheting backward. But we're not looking at that, we'll probably be able to work something out," Trump remarked.
A trade war with the EU, America's largest trading block, would have wide-ranging economic effects, and likely price increases here at home when Americans are already feeling the pinch, all as the president defended the state of the economy one year into his second term.
"Gasoline prices has come way down, when that happens everything else comes down," Trump shared.
He also pointed to stock market record highs though markets plunged Tuesday amid the trade tensions.
While in Davos, Trump is also set to join a signing ceremony for his "Board of Peace" to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.
Overnight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he's among the world leaders joining the board while allies are raising concerns the board's expanding mission beyond Gaza could rival the United Nations.
