Tuesday January 20, 2026 | DAVOS, SWITZERLAND [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC | Posted at 1:35 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today Prime Minister Mark Carney and France’s President Emmanuel Macron met on the margins of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Carney and Macron reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark, including Greenland. They underscored that decisions on the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide. The leaders agreed that the best way to secure the Arctic is by working together within NATO.
The two leaders of NATO countries emphasized maintaining progress to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and to ensure a just and lasting peace. Building on the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris, France, earlier this month, they highlighted the ongoing work by their two countries, alongside allies, to establish robust security guarantees – including to strengthen Ukraine’s defences.
Both sides of the Atlantic:
As stated in the readout from Carney’s office, he and Macron today agreed to intensify the long-standing cooperation between Canada and France to ensure greater stability, security, and prosperity for people on both sides of the Atlantic.
They discussed the importance of the relationship between the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union, and underscored the transformative economic benefits that greater integration and cooperation could catalyse.
Global shifts:
Tensions continue to be experienced across all NATO countries regarding the discourse from US President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland, as well as the range and variety of tariff threats and applications.
Trump’s stance is that the United States should own Greenland as part of assuring security of the Northern Hemisphere. He uses tariffs as an economic tool to enforce his policy intentions.
Canada and many other NATO countries already have defence operations in Greenland as part of regular strategies over the years. Carney is reportedly contemplating sending more military personnel to Greenland as part of the current situation.
“Canada is significantly increasing its Arctic security by strengthening our military and investing in critical infrastructure,” the prime minister’s office stated yesterday. “Canada will continue to work with Allies to also protect this critical region – NATO’s northern and western flanks.”
This week, Carney and Starmer are among numerous world leaders who are currently attending the World Economic Forum 2026 meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
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