Air Force One departed with President Donald Trump en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,

but the trip was briefly interrupted shortly after takeoff. According to the White House press pool, the aircraft

turned back as a precaution after the crew identified a minor electrical issue. The decision was framed as routine

and safety-driven rather than urgent, with the plane returning to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington,

D.C. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to lighten the moment by joking that the Qatari

jet Trump had previously been offered sounded “much better” under the circumstances. A government motorcade

was seen rushing back to the base as the aircraft made its return, underscoring the sudden change in plans.

Despite the delay, officials confirmed that Trump and his team would continue to Davos on a different aircraft.

The president was expected to return briefly to Joint Base Andrews late that evening before resuming travel,

though the disruption made his exact arrival time uncertain. Ultimately, Trump arrived safely in Davos around 8 a.m.

Eastern Time on Wednesday, allowing him to proceed with his planned participation at the forum. The incident

did little to alter the broader focus of the trip, which was already attracting intense international attention due to mounting tensions between the United States and Europe.

As Trump prepared to meet with foreign leaders at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday and Thursday,

European governments were notably uneasy. The annual gathering, hosted by the Switzerland-based World Economic

Forum organization, brings together political leaders, business executives, academics, and activists to discuss

major global challenges. This year, however, the United States and Trump himself were expected to dominate conversations,

with delegations from Germany, France, Norway, and other nations closely watching Washington’s next moves.

At the center of the unease was Trump’s renewed push for a deal involving Greenland. He warned European allies

that failure to reach an agreement by February 1 would carry consequences, including tariffs. Under the proposed timeline,

goods from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom would

face a 10 percent tariff if no deal was reached by February, escalating to 25 percent by June 1.

These threats loomed large over Davos, amplifying concerns about trade stability and alliance unity.

European leaders have firmly rejected Trump’s demands, arguing that Greenland’s security can be addressed

through cooperation among NATO allies rather than territorial acquisition. Greenland, the world’s largest island,

is a self-governing Danish territory located in the Arctic Circle between North America and Europe.

Trump has repeatedly emphasized its strategic value, citing increased activity by Russia and China in the

Arctic and the island’s historic importance during the Cold War as a key early-warning outpost.

The tariff threats also come at a sensitive moment in U.S.–EU relations, following a 2025 trade framework

that set a 15 percent tariff on most European exports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

reminded attendees that the two sides reached a deal last July, stressing that agreements between allies

should carry lasting meaning. She warned that escalating trade disputes would only weaken both partners

and benefit shared adversaries, reinforcing Europe’s view that cooperation, not coercion, should guide the transatlantic relationship.