Protesters have burned American flags and clashed with police in Switzerland as Donald Trump arrived for the World Economic Forum, amid growing anger over his threats to take over Greenland.
In Zurich overnight, thousands gathered with signs including “Put the Trumpster in the dumpster”. According to Swissinfo, windows were smashed and property damaged before officers in riot gear used water cannon, chemical irritants and rubber bullets to break up the demonstration. Police said they had been pelted with stones and fireworks, with no injuries reported.
Elsewhere, activists from the Swiss NGO Campax projected a cartoon image of Trump onto a ski slope with the words “Spirit of plutocracy”. More than 3,000 participants, including CEOs and at least 60 world leaders, are expected to gather in Davos this week. Trump is due to deliver a speech on Wednesday after days of public spats with European leaders over his Greenland plans.
Trump has threatened tariffs on countries trading with Greenland, prompting a retaliatory threat by Europe of tariffs estimated to be worth €93bn. Trade tensions are expected to dominate discussions, although Ukrainian officials said negotiations on a peace deal with Russia would also continue alongside the conference. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, emphasised Europe’s capabilities to police the Arctic and criticised Trump’s tariffs threats in a speech on Tuesday.
Protests have taken place in Greenland in recent days, with 5,000 people attending including the territory’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, in the largest demonstration in its history. Similar protests have been held across Denmark. California governor Gavin Newsom called European and American leaders “pathetic” for failing to challenge Trump’s rhetoric, saying they look “pathetic on the world stage” and must “stand tall, stand firm, stand united”.
