Gavin Newsom tells Europe to “develop a backbone” and push back against Donald Trump’s Greenland bid at the Davos forum.
DAVOS: California Governor Gavin Newsom urged European leaders to “develop a backbone” and confront US President Donald Trump over his bid for Greenland.
Speaking to reporters at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, the prominent Democrat called Trump “weak” and said the EU should “push back very aggressively”.
“He’s good at exploiting weaknesses, but he backs down when he’s punched in the face,” Newsom said.
“You can’t play all sides. Enough of the niceties,” he added. “Stop trying to appease him. Fight fire with fire.”
Newsom labelled Trump’s attempt to take over Greenland “madness” but said he would not try a military seizure.
“This whole excursion in Greenland is absurd and people need to recognise what they’re up against and stand tall and firm, develop a backbone and speak with one unified voice. Punch him in the face,” Newsom said.
Trump, who addresses the forum on Wednesday, has strained the transatlantic alliance with his Greenland demand.
The EU is considering countermeasures after he threatened tariffs on eight European nations, though Washington called potential retaliation “unwise”.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told the gathering the bloc’s response would be “unflinching, united and proportional”.
