Image source, Reuters

Tensions have escalated between the US and Europe as Donald Trump ratchets up efforts to acquire Greenland, threatening tariffs on eight European countries opposing his plans over the weekend.

Addressing the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he preferred "respect to bullies" and the "rule of law to brutality".

Macron's comments followed a threat by the US president earlier that day to levy a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne, after the French premier declined an invitation to join Trump's international "Board of Peace", made up world leaders.

Macron is among those urging the EU to consider retaliatory options against US tariffs, including an anti-coercion tool nicknamed a "trade bazooka".

• Why is Emmanuel Macron wearing sunglasses indoors at Davos?

Image source, Reuters

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says there has been a shift in the international order that "is not only seismic but it is permanent", she says.

"We now live in a world defined by raw power."

Von der Leyen says it's "imperative" for Europe to "speed up our push for independence", and get "new levers of power".

Referencing escalating tensions with the Trump over his quest to acquire Greenland, she says that "the threat of additional tariffs for security reasons is simply wrong".

She adds that Europe's leaders are meeting on Thursday to discuss its response to the US president's threatened tariffs.

"Europe prefers dialogue and solutions, but we are fully prepared to act if necessary with unity, urgency and determination."

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

We've just reported that Ed Miliband told the BBC that retaliatory tariffs against the US are "not the calm or rational way forward". We can now bring you some more from the UK's energy secretary:

Ed Miliband has defended UK PM Keir Starmer's "calm" approach to handling President Trump.

The energy secretary confirmed that the prime minister is still not planning to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying: "The prime minister's got other engagements and he will engage with President Trump in his own way."

Miliband told BBC Breakfast that "this is obviously a challenging situation," adding: "I think the prime minister's approach has been the right approach. He's taken a calm approach. He's sought common ground with the President of the United States, he's found common ground.

"It led to us getting the first trade deal among other things. But he's also willing to say where he disagrees with President Trump as he has on Greenland, and I think that calm leadership is what we need.

"We need to de-escalate the situation in Greenland. We need to work on Arctic security which is what we're doing with our allies, talking to the US about that, and find a way forward which isn't about tariffs or trade wars but is about us working together for the security of the Arctic and indeed to find common ground with the US."

Steve Rosenberg
Russia editor

Today tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets features a mock-up of Trump, Rubio and Vance planting a US flag on the island, an image the US president posted online.

"…Trump and Co. are about to seize Greenland," writes the paper. "For now, only in social media, but it’s the first step that counts."

In Komsomolskaya Pravda (which carries the same picture) Russia’s ambassador to Denmark predicts that "belief in the unity of Nato will dim. Although even now the Nato alliance is no group of Musketeers where it’s all for one and one for all."

Arguments and Facts prints a striking sketch of Donald Trump wearing a giant map of Greenland on his head like a hat.

"The idea of America annexing the world’s biggest island has lodged itself firmly in Donald Trump’s head," concludes the paper.

What if America were to buy Greenland?

"In American history acquiring territory is nothing new," comments Russian senator Konstantin Kosachev. "Everyone remembers the purchase of Alaska from Russia…"

But, he continues, "forcing such a transaction is absolutely illegal. This is a violation of the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, a violation of the letter and the spirit of international law…"

"Perhaps the US president himself doesn’t yet understand where the boundaries of the possible lie and is feeling them out."

Image source, Getty Images

UK energy secretary Ed Miliband says the prime minister "couldn't be clearer" about disagreeing with Trump's threat of tariffs on European countries unless they support his plan to own Greenland.

On whether or not the UK should retaliate with its own tariffs on the US, Miliband tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme presenter Justin Webb: "I don't think that's the calm and rational way forward."

"The right way forward," Milband proposes, is to "do everything we can" to avoid Trump's tariffs and a consequent trade war.

Talks about Arctic security are also important, the energy secretary adds.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Trump's tariff threats over Greenland

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose fresh tariffs on eight allies that oppose his demands for control of Greenland.

He plans on hitting the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland with 10% tariffs on "any and all goods" if they oppose his proposed takeover of Greenland.

Trump said the tariffs would be in place by 1 February and would rise to 25% by 1 June.

What are tariffs and how do they work?

Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Typically, the charge is a percentage of a good's value.

For example, a 10% tariff on a $10 product would mean a $1 tax on top - taking the total cost to $11 (£8.17).

The tax is paid to the government by companies bringing in the foreign products.

These firms may pass some or all of the extra cost on to their customers, which in this case means ordinary Americans and other US businesses.

They may also decide to import fewer goods.

A bit more now from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been taking questions from reporters in Davos.

Asked what would happen if Switzerland were to grow closer to the European Union, amid escalating tensions with the US, he says it would be "very disappointing if Switzerland decided to get on the EU bandwagon".

On Greenland, he says that he's "not going to get ahead" of the president, but that the US is "asking our allies to understand that Greenland needs to be part of the United States".

Addressing the "minor electrical issue" that forced Trump's plane to turn back to its Maryland air base, Bessent adds that he hasn't seen the updated schedule but the US president is going to be "about three hours late".

We're now hearing from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is already in Davos ahead of Trump's arrival.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Bessent asks why doesn't Europe "sit down wait for President Trump to get here" and listen to his argument?

You can follow along with his comments in Davos at the top of this page, and we'll bring you more key lines shortly.

Trump may enter Davos like a new sheriff with his own rules, but Europe could push backpublished at 07:09 GMT 21 January

07:09 GMT 21 January

Faisal Islam
Economics editor, reporting from Davos

It will be quite the moment for the world, and how the world is run.

Donald Trump may enter Davos like a new sheriff with his own new rules for the world, but there are signs that much of the rest of the world is now on alert, and ready to push back.

His constantly stated designs on territorial expansion, especially in the last few days, have yielded a reaction among most other Western countries.

The leaders of France and Canada referred to a new colonialism, bullying and the need for the rest of the world to work together.

The question is how far will the president articulate the new US national security strategy, which shocked Europe by praising radical opposition groups as a means to prevent what it called the erasure of civilisation.

Non-American voices here perceive a lack of appetite in the US Congress for a Greenland adventure and some skittishness in markets.

The US treasury secretary implored Europe not to panic and keep the faith, but the audience here and around the rest of Europe will get a chance to make their own judgement this afternoon

Image source, CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Donald Trump is taking a team of advisers and members of his administration to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Here's who we've heard is travelling alongside him:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and her deputy James Blair
• Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
• Policy adviser Stephen Miller
• National security adviser Robert Gabriel, who was recently announced as the final member of the "founding executive board" of Trump's "Board of Peace"
• Political aide Beau Harrison
• White House communications director Steven Cheung
• White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf
• Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett
• Speechwriter Ross Worthington
• Ambassador Monica Crowley of the State Department

Image source, Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Donald Trump's plane was forced to turn back due to a "minor electrical issue" as he began the journey to Davos, Switzerland.

After takeoff, the crew on Air Force One noticed the issue, and the decision was made to turn the plane around, land at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland and board a new plane.

Reporters also noted the lights went out briefly in the press cabin, but no additional information was given.

According to those on board, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt joked that, in light of the issue, the Qatari jet - an "unconditional gift" from the country to the US president, which is currently being refitted - was sounding "much better" right now.

The arrival of the president, and those travelling with him, is expected to be delayed.

In a post on social media platform Truth Social earlier, Trump wrote: "America will be well represented in Davos — by me."

We'll bring you details of who is accompanying Trump on the trip to the World Economic Forum in our next post.

Trump's Greenland plan is what everyone is waiting forpublished at 06:41 GMT 21 January

06:41 GMT 21 January

Sarah Smith
North America editor

Asked by the BBC before he left the White House if the break up of Nato was a price he was willing to pay for Greenland, President Trump seemed oblivious to the hostility his threats have generated.

Saying: "I think we will work something out where Nato is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy."

He gave no clue as to what this compromise could be, as he reiterated his belief that America must own Greenland for reasons of national security.

Asked how far he was prepared to go to acquire the Arctic territory he said simply "you’ll find out".

He is bound to be asked the same question in the many meetings he says he has scheduled about Greenland whilst he is in Davos.

President Trump wants to use his speech to the World Economic Forum to list all his achievements in his first year back in office.

But it is what he has planned for Greenland in the coming year that everyone will be listening for.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

US President Donald Trump will today deliver a speech to world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, after doubling down on his threats to take control of Greenland.

He is set to speak at the World Economic Forum - where French President Macron warned yesterday of a "shift towards a world without rules". Trump says there are "a lot of meetings scheduled on Greenland".

This comes after he was asked how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland during a news conference on Tuesday, he replied: "You'll find out".

His arrival in Davos is expected to be delayed due to a "minor electrical issue" on Air Force One.

Meanwhile, Greenland's Minister of Industry and Natural Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, told the BBC: ""We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that."

We'll be closely monitoring developments today and will bring you the key lines. Stay with us.