News report by Imen Al-Kheriji DAVOS, Jan 23 (Kuna) -- The World Economic Forum concluded its annual meeting on Friday amid highly charged political tensions within the Western camp against the backdrop of an open political and economic confrontation between the US on one side and Europe UK and Canada on the other. Greenland tariffs and the Peace Board dominated the discussions.
Sessions in Davos featured some of the sharpest rhetoric heard in years particularly from US President Donald Trump and members of his administration countered by European leaders led by French President Emmanuel Macron European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In a striking address, Carney declared from Davos the "end of the old international order" built on US led rules and institutions warning of a world drifting toward "economic coercion" and the use of trade integration as a tool of dominance.
He urged middle powers to build flexible alliances warning that countries that are "not at the table will end up on the menu." Carney also stressed that Canada stands "firmly" with Denmark against any threats to Greenland describing the situation as a "real test" for NATO.
For his part, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the global order that prevailed for decades is "shaking under the pressure of a new system based on power" in reference to US policies.
He insisted that Europe is "not at the mercy of this new global order" and still could shape its future.
Merz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to protecting Denmark and Greenland and rejected any use of force in the Arctic.
He also said the European Union would respond "firmly" should Washington impose new tariffs.
French President Emmanuel Macron also rejected what he called "bullying behavior", stressing that France and Europe "will not accept the law of the strongest" particularly in relation to US claims over Greenland and repeated threats to impose tariffs on allies.
Macron said that Europe should deploy its trade defense instruments, including "coercive measures" against what he described as attempts to weaken and subdue Europe.
Macron also rejected the Gaza "Peace Board" proposed by Trump, saying that it poses a threat to the international system and undermines the role of the United Nations.
Von der Leyen underscored that the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark is "non-negotiable", warning that threats of tariffs between allies are a "serious mistake" and would if necessary be met with a "united and firm" European response.
For his part, President Trump said Europe is destroying itself because of policies it has adopted over the past 10 years, accusing both the EU and NATO of exploiting the United States for decades.
He also claimed that "Canada exists because of the United States", asserting that no country in the world can survive without American support.
Trump reiterated his call for an agreement that would make Greenland part of the United States framing it as a strategic necessity for national security.
He said that Washington cannot defend because "it needs the ownership to defend it", saying, "You can't defend it on a lease", insisting that no other state is capable of securing Greenland without his country.
The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaking in Davos also urged Europeans to "avoid an angry reflex" to Trump's proposal on Greenland describing European criticism as "inflammatory." At this tense atmosphere Davos witnessed the signing ceremony of the "Peace Board" charter announced by Trump as part of his Gaza plan amid a conspicuous European absence.
Germany, France, Britain, Sweden, Italy, Spain, and several other European countries declared their refusal to join the council, warning that it would undermine the UN's role and establish an international mechanism subject to US dominance.
Trump justified the board as a framework to oversee a ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza while the European officials argued that its broad powers extend beyond Gaza and potentially opening the door to a new international disorder.
This came while the World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cautioned in her Davos address that "global trade is entering its most dangerous period of disruption in more than 80 years." Davos Forum, which was held this year under the theme of "Spirit of Dialogue" experienced an unprecedented Western divide, reviving fundamental questions about the future of the international order. (end) imk.mt