Trump softens on Greenland as he prepares to unveil ‘Board of Peace’ at Davos

Trump backtracks on Greenland as Davos spotlight turns to his ‘Board of Peace’

Just a day after rattling allies with threats over Greenland, US President Donald Trump hit reverse, scrapping proposed tariffs on Europe and ruling out military action against Denmark’s Arctic territory as he prepared to take centre stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The abrupt shift eased tensions that had rippled through the Swiss ski resort, where global political and business leaders are gathering amid a backdrop of multiple international conflicts and fragile alliances.

On Thursday, Trump is set to unveil what he calls his signature diplomatic project: the “Board of Peace”, a new and controversial body aimed at resolving global conflicts.

A bold peace pitch, with a hefty price tag

Trump plans to formally launch the board with a charter-signing ceremony, pitching it as a fresh alternative to traditional multilateral diplomacy.

Permanent membership reportedly comes with a $1 billion price tag, and Trump has invited a striking mix of global leaders to join, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“I think it’s the greatest board ever formed,” Trump said on Wednesday after meeting Sisi, one of the leaders who has agreed to sign on.

According to a senior Trump administration official, around 35 world leaders have committed so far from roughly 50 invitations sent out.

Allies wary as UN comparisons surface

Originally conceived as a body to oversee post-war reconstruction in Gaza, the board’s charter does not restrict its role to the Middle East, a detail that has raised eyebrows among diplomats.

Some US allies, including France and Britain, have voiced skepticism, with concerns growing that Trump may be positioning the board as a rival to the United Nations. Others, particularly in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have signed up more readily.

The initiative also comes against the backdrop of Trump’s long-running frustration over failing to secure a Nobel Peace Prize, despite his repeated claim to have ended multiple conflicts during his presidency.

Ukraine, Putin and a familiar promise

The inclusion of Putin has caused particular unease, especially in Ukraine, where the war with Russia is approaching its fourth year.

Trump confirmed he would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the Board of Peace event, as negotiations for a ceasefire remain stalled.

Speaking in Davos, Trump said Russia and Ukraine would be “stupid” not to reach a peace deal, repeating his claim that he could have ended the war within a day of taking office. He insisted both leaders were close to an agreement, despite previously blaming each side at different times for the lack of progress.

Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel from Davos to Moscow alongside Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, to hold talks with Putin.

Greenland climbdown calms nerves, for now

Zelensky has publicly worried that Trump’s earlier rhetoric about seizing Greenland could distract from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But Trump said late Wednesday that he had reached a “framework of a future deal” after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, prompting him to waive tariffs scheduled to hit Europe on February 1.

Rutte described the meeting as “very good,” while cautioning that discussions around Greenland were far from over.

Trump continues to argue that the mineral-rich Arctic island is strategically vital for US and NATO security in the face of Russian and Chinese influence, a position that remains deeply sensitive among European allies.

A Davos moment that could define his legacy

As Davos watches closely, Trump is once again leaning into his self-styled role as global dealmaker. Whether the Board of Peace becomes a diplomatic breakthrough or another polarising experiment may depend less on grand ceremonies and more on whether any of the world’s wars actually move closer to ending.

For now, the sudden Greenland retreat suggests that even Trump, at times, knows when the temperature in the room has risen too high.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com