At the World Economic Forum session in Davos on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump launced a fresh salvo on Europe. This comes amid his push for claiming Greenland and the tussle with European nations who are opposing his move to take over the Arctic island. Addressing a gathering, Trump said ‘Europe was not heading in the right direction’.
Trump added while he wanted Europe to progress, that did not seem like happening.
"Certain places in Europe are not even recognisable, frankly, any more. We can argue about it, but there's no argument. I don't want to insult anybody and say, I don't recognise it and that's not in a positive way. That's in a very negative way. I love Europe, and I want to see Europe go good, but it's not heading in the right direction," he said.
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The island of Greenland is governed by Denmark and is strategically positioned between eastern Russia, Europe and America. Following the capture of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces, Trump has only intensified his rhetoric.
A day before he left for Davos, Trump said he would hold meetings on the future of Greenland and expressed confidence that a deal could eventually be reached over the strategically located Danish territory.
Meanwhile, hours before Trump arrived in Davos, long queues began to form to enter the venue of his address, while hundreds gathered outside at different places to protest against him despite never-before security arrangements.
Long-timers said it has never been seen here, including on his previous visits to Davos during his first presidency. Trump landed in Davos around 1 pm local time after some delay due to an airplane technical issue.
People started queueing up to enter the venue more than two hours before the start of Trump's special address in the Congress Hall, the venue of his address.
The Congress Hall, the biggest in Congress Centre with capacity to seat over 970 people, was overflowing with hundreds more standing and the organisers arranged for live streaming in many other halls to accommodate about 500 more. Still many couldn't get a place and were seen watching and hearing the speech on their phones and laptops.
Outside the main venue and across security barricades, protesters shouted slogans against him including on issues like climate, Greenland , Venezuela, Iran and capitalism, despite never-before security arrangements in this small town on an unusually sunny day.
Greenland ‘a piece of ice’
The US President also said that no nation can secure Greenland as the United States. Calling Greenland 'a piece of ice,' he said it is a very small task. Trump also ruled out the use of force in his bid to control Greenland.
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