California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) sharply criticized European and other global leaders Tuesday during the World Economic Forum in Davos, urging them to take a firmer stance against policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump and warning that traditional diplomacy was failing.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the elite annual meeting, Newsom rebuked leaders for what he described as “complicity” and “rolling over” in the face of Trump’s foreign policy and trade tactics, including his controversial push to acquire Greenland and threats of tariffs against allies. He used expletive-laden language to emphasize his point, saying leaders needed to “stand tall and firm — have a backbone” and joking that he “should’ve brought a bunch of knee pads.”
“Stop being complicit,” Newsom said in a clip posted to the social media platform X. “It’s time to stand tall and firm, have a backbone. I can’t take this complicity — people rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of knee pads for all the world leaders.”
Newsom also claimed diplomacy with Trump’s administration “doesn’t work” at this moment, asserting that leaders must confront what he characterized as aggressive and destabilizing tactics.
In fact, however, there are many signs that European leaders agree with Trump more than they disagree with him on various policies, including Greenland.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced during a forum discussion at Davos that “Trump is right” on Greenland and that NATO and EU nations must do more “collectively” to ensure its security.
BOMBSHELL – TRUMP IS RIGHT!
An incredible moment as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte shocks the world, declares President Trump is RIGHT on defending Greenland and the Arctic from Russia and China:
“Trump is right. We have to do more there! We have to protect the Arctic… pic.twitter.com/iyV6fm3nXg
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) January 21, 2026
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang also praised the president’s economic and foreign policies, telling Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, “President Trump wants to reindustrialize the United States, and AI is really a perfect time to do it. For AI, you have to build infrastructure, and that infrastructure includes chip factories, computer factories, and AI factories—and we’re building all 3 in the the United States.”
.@nvidia CEO Jensen Huang: “@POTUS wants to reindustrialize the U.S., and AI is really a perfect time to do it. For AI, you have to build infrastructure, and that infrastructure includes chip factories, computer factories, and AI factories—and we’re building all 3 in the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/ubZk2VRjzZ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 21, 2026
He added: “Without President Trump and his strategies, we wouldn’t be here today, and so I’m really grateful for all of his policies… over the course of the next 3 more years, we’re going to manufacture approximately half a trillion dollars worth of AI computing systems here in the United States.”
HUANG: “Without @POTUS and his strategies, we wouldn’t be here today, and so I’m really grateful for all of his policies… over the course of the next 3 more years, we’re going to manufacture approximately half a trillion dollars worth of AI computing systems here in the U.S.” pic.twitter.com/DSz0NeDdHx
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 21, 2026
Newsom’s comments come amid heightened tensions over Trump’s threat to impose punitive tariffs on European countries that back Denmark’s sovereign control of Greenland — a move that has provoked sharp warnings from NATO allies and posed a test to longstanding transatlantic ties.
“The Europeans should decide for themselves,” the governor replied when asked what Europeans should do.
Other leaders at Davos echoed concerns about Trump’s approach. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized unilateral tactics as a threat to international norms, saying Europe would not yield to “bullying or intimidation,” and supported possible retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney called for continued multilateral cooperation among middle powers and reaffirmed support for Greenland’s right to determine its future, signaling broader alarm over great-power rivalry and its implications for global governance.
European countries are considering plans to increase their tariffs against the United States as a response to pressure from President Donald Trump.
On Monday, Germany’s finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, hinted at this potential action while speaking alongside his French counterpart in Berlin. Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron urged the European Union to activate its Anti-Coercion Instrument, often referred to as the trade “bazooka,” during his remarks on the same day.
Despite the rising tensions, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sought to play down the discord, asserting that U.S.–European relations remain strong even as disagreements persist over Greenland and other issues.
Trump was scheduled to address the forum later in the week, giving him an opportunity to articulate his own foreign policy priorities amid the criticism. He arrived in Switzerland overnight after a mechanical issue on Air Force One caused the pilot to return to Andrews Air Force Base and change planes to a back-up AF1.
