Swiss Protests Erupt Against Trump's Davos Visit Amid Greenland Tensions
Protesters in Switzerland have burned American flags and clashed with police, sending a stark message to US President Donald Trump ahead of his arrival at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The demonstrations, which saw thousands gather in Zurich overnight, explicitly declared "Trump not welcome", reflecting widespread European anger over his threats to annex Greenland from Denmark.
Violent Clashes and Police Response
According to Swissinfo, violent clashes erupted between protesters and police after windows were smashed and properties damaged in Zurich. Officers in riot gear deployed water cannon, chemical irritants, and rubber bullets to quell the unrest, which began shortly after 9:30pm. Police reported being pelted with stones and fireworks, though no injuries were confirmed. Social media images showed masked individuals burning US flags, while banners with slogans like "Put the Trumpster in the dumpster" highlighted the fervent opposition.
Greenland Takeover Threats Fuel Backlash
The protests coincide with Trump's persistent push to acquire Greenland for US security reasons, a move he has refused to rule out militarily. On Tuesday, as the Davos summit commenced, Trump doubled down on social media, asserting "There can be no going back". His threats to impose tariffs on countries trading with Greenland have prompted a retaliatory warning from Europe, potentially worth €93bn, setting the stage for trade tensions to dominate forum discussions.
Widespread Demonstrations Across Europe
Beyond Switzerland, protests have swept across Denmark and Greenland. In Nuuk, Greenland's capital, 5,000 people—representing 25% of the city's population—attended the largest demonstration in its history, joined by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Similar gatherings occurred in Danish cities like Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense, drawing several thousand participants. Meanwhile, activists from the Swiss NGO Campax projected a cartoon image of Trump onto a ski slope with the caption "Spirit of plutocracy", criticising his attendance.
International Criticism and Diplomatic Fallout
European leaders have condemned Trump's stance, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasising the continent's Arctic policing capabilities and criticising his tariff threats in a Davos speech. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential presidential hopeful, lambasted European and American leaders as "pathetic" for failing to challenge Trump, likening him to a T-rex that "you mate with or he devours you". Trump has also dismissed the Nobel Prize, attacking Norway for not awarding him one, further straining transatlantic relations.
As over 3,000 participants, including CEOs and at least 60 world leaders, converge in Davos, the protests underscore the deep divisions Trump's policies have ignited. With trade disputes and Arctic security on the agenda, his speech on Wednesday is poised to amplify the controversy, as European unity against his Greenland ambitions hardens.
