Trump tariffs and UN chief's Davos no-show

• Trump plans 10% tariff on EU goods, escalating to 25%.
• Tariffs tied to complete purchase of Greenland.
• UN chief Guterres missed Davos summit due to illness.

In January, the world witnessed developments in international affairs, where former US President Trump's trade policies and the UN Secretary-General's health took center stage. The piece explores the ramifications of Trump's proposed tariffs and examines the UN chief's absence from a significant global summit.

Tariffs Announced

Reports indicated that Donald Trump had declared his intention to levy a 10% tariff on goods from various European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. This tariff was scheduled to take effect on February 1 and was slated to escalate to 25% starting in June. The tariffs were presented as due and payable until an agreement was reached for the complete purchase of Greenland. This move highlighted the ongoing shifts in trade dynamics and the US's approach to international economic relations.

Davos Absence Noted

Simultaneously, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres found himself unable to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos. His spokesperson announced the cancellation of his planned trip to the Swiss Alps town because of a bad cold. The annual meeting, which had commenced on January 19 and was set to conclude on January 23, was hosting leaders and business figures from around the globe. President Trump was also scheduled to address the gathering, making the UN chief's absence particularly noteworthy.