US President Donald Trump referred to himself as a “dictator” at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, while defending his leadership style and policy approach.
Speaking at the Swiss Alpine resort of
Davos, Trump reflected on the reception to his address, expressing surprise at what he described as unusually favourable feedback.
“We had a good speech. We got great reviews. I can’t believe it,” he said.
Emphasising the tone of the coverage, Trump added, “We got good reviews in that speech. Usually, they say, he’s a horrible dictator type person.”
It was at that point that Trump leaned directly into the label.
“I’m a dictator,” he said, before quickly qualifying the remark.
“But sometimes you need a dictator.”
He then pivoted to what he framed as the underlying philosophy of his governance, arguing that his decisions were driven less by ideology and more by pragmatism.
“It’s all based on common sense,” Trump said.
“It’s not conservative or liberal or anything else. It’s mostly, let’s say, 95 per cent common sense, and that’s what we have,” he added.
Earlier in the day at Davos, Trump acknowledged that his rhetoric had created tension but insisted that his intentions were being misread.
“People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force,” he said.
“I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Trump also addressed the controversy surrounding Greenland, an issue that had dominated headlines in the run-up to the World Economic Forum meeting.
After weeks of tough talk that had unnerved NATO allies, the US President signalled a clear step back, ruling out both military action and the use of tariffs as leverage.
He said discussions were moving toward a cooperative outcome involving Western Arctic allies.
After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump described the emerging understanding in sweeping terms.
“It’s a deal that everybody’s very happy with,” he told reporters.
“It’s a long-term deal. It’s the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals.”
He added emphatically, “It’s a deal that’s forever.”
Trump later said that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States would continue, aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold in Greenland, economically or militarily.
Stressing the shift in tone, he announced that tariffs previously scheduled to take effect would not be imposed.
