Progress at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week marked a notable shift in global geopolitics, with President Donald Trump leaving Switzerland with a framework agreement on Greenland. Under the emerging deal, Greenland remains under the sovereignty of Denmark, while the U.S. is expected to gain expanded access to critical minerals and full sovereignty over existing U.S. military bases on the island. Following the announcement, Trump moved to drop planned tariffs against European countries, easing near-term trade tensions. Still, broader geopolitical risks remain in focus, including heightened pressure on Iran and renewed trade threats toward Canada.
To break down these developments, Remy Blaire spoke with Patrick L. Young, chairman and founder of Exchange Invest. Young framed the Greenland agreement as a pragmatic outcome centered on access to rare earth minerals and strategic positioning in the Arctic. As melting ice opens new shipping lanes and resource opportunities, the Arctic Circle has become increasingly important in countering both Russia and China. Young argued the deal could have been reached far earlier had European leaders taken a more practical approach, noting that U.S. defense commitments continue to underpin NATO security.
Attention then shifted to the Caribbean, following reports of U.S. military activity near Cuba. Young described a rapidly changing regional landscape, particularly after political upheaval in Venezuela reduced its role as an energy backstop for neighboring countries. He pointed to the presence of the USS George Washington near Cuba as a clear signal of U.S. pressure. With Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban American, playing a central role, Young suggested the region could be heading toward major political realignment, potentially including regime change in Havana.
The discussion then turned to the Middle East, where Trump announced the deployment of a naval armada amid escalating tensions with Iran. While Young stopped short of predicting direct military action, he described the buildup as a calculated show of force designed to apply maximum pressure. He suggested the U.S. strategy is aimed at destabilizing Iran’s ruling regime without triggering an outright conflict, noting widespread regional awareness that Washington is intensifying its stance toward Tehran.
North of the U.S. border, Trump’s warning of potential 100% tariffs against Canada added another layer of uncertainty. Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, have denied any intention of pursuing a free trade deal with China. Young characterized the situation as political posturing ahead of Canadian elections, arguing that while Canada remains a major global economy, it ultimately has limited leverage in a U.S.-dominated trade environment.
Finally, Young addressed Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos and the outlook for the war between Ukraine and Russia. He contended that Ukraine is no longer a strategic priority for the U.S., placing the burden of leadership squarely on Europe. With European nations underprepared militarily and financially, Young suggested Zelensky faces diminishing prospects for continued American support, even as Trump looks to counter Russian influence elsewhere, particularly in the Arctic.
Taken together, the week underscored how quickly geopolitical narratives can shift. From Greenland and the Arctic to the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, U.S. strategy under President Donald Trump continues to reshape global alliances, trade dynamics, and security priorities as markets and governments adjust to a rapidly evolving world order.