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

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