Europe would be 'very unwise' to retaliate over Greenland, Bessent says

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European governments not to retaliate against U.S. actions in the Greenland dispute, calling it “very unwise,” ahead of President Trump’s expected Davos meeting with global business leaders.

Cecile Mantovani/Reuters

January 20, 2026

Europe would be 'very unwise' to retaliate over Greenland, Bessent says

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gives a statement during the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, at the USA House venue, in Davos, Switzerland, January 19, 2026.

Denis Balibouse/Reuters

European governments should not retaliate against any measures taken by the United States in their dispute over Greenland, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday (January 19).

"I think it would be very unwise," Bessent told reporters when asked about retaliatory trade measures on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

He urged Europe not to doubt U.S. President Donald Trump's intentions over Greenland.

"I've been travelling, so I haven't been in touch (with European officials), but I spoke to President Trump, and evidently there are a lot of inbounds, and I think everyone should take the president at his word," Bessent said.

Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday (January 21), sources familiar with the matter said, as his presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in Switzerland.

-Cecile Mantovani/Reuters