President Donald Trump delivered a rare, nearly two-hour-long appearance at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, using the platform to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements, criticise the United Nations and double down on his push for the United States to take control of Greenland, a move that has drawn sharp resistance from America’s European allies.
The extended briefing came on the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration and a day before he is scheduled to address global leaders, billionaires and policymakers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His trip comes at a time of rising tensions with NATO allies over his aggressive posture on Greenland and his threat to impose new retaliatory tariffs on several European countries.
During the wide-ranging and often meandering session with reporters, Trump leafed through a thick packet of documents that he said listed hundreds of accomplishments from his first year back in office. He claimed his administration had achieved more than any previous government in a similar period and said it would take more than a week to read through the full list.
At several points, Trump turned his focus to foreign policy, renewing his argument that the United States must take control of Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns about growing strategic competition in the Arctic. While he struck a slightly more conciliatory tone near the end of the briefing, saying Washington and NATO would “work something out,” he repeated his view that U.S. control of the territory is necessary.
Trump also took aim at the United Nations, saying the global body has failed to live up to its potential and has been ineffective in resolving conflicts. He promoted his idea of a Trump-led “Board of Peace,” initially conceived as a small group of world leaders to oversee the Gaza ceasefire plan, but now envisioned as a broader body that could help mediate international disputes.
“The United Nations just hasn’t been very helpful,” Trump said, adding that while he believes the organisation should continue, his proposed board could one day play a major role in peacemaking efforts.
The president’s remarks come as European leaders have warned that his threats to impose new tariffs on countries backing Denmark over Greenland could trigger a major trade dispute and strain long-standing trans-Atlantic ties. France and several other EU members have already signalled they are prepared to respond if Washington moves ahead with punitive measures.
Trump said his speech in Davos on Wednesday would focus on what he called the “tremendous success” of his administration and would recap progress made over the past year. The White House has previously said his address would centre on his affordability agenda, particularly housing, in an effort to convince Americans that his policies can ease cost-of-living pressures.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said other countries needed to hear his views on energy and immigration and suggested that his leadership had brought stability in several conflict zones, a claim that has been disputed by critics and fact-checkers.
The marathon briefing, marked by frequent digressions and a mix of domestic and foreign policy topics, underscored Trump’s combative style and his willingness to use high-profile appearances to press his most controversial priorities.
With European leaders already gathered in Davos and Greenland expected to dominate the agenda, Trump’s appearance at the forum is likely to be closely watched for signs of whether he will seek to defuse tensions or continue his hardline approach.