Trump compared to ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ amid Greenland row at Davos

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever issued a sharp warning to Europe at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, January 21, saying the continent must stop appeasing President Donald Trump and prepare to defend itself against growing pressure from Washington.

Speaking during a panel on European security, De Wever compared Trump to the children’s book character 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' after the US president escalated rhetoric about potentially seizing Greenland, arguing that continued European restraint was only emboldening him.

The remarks came as global leaders gathered in Davos amid mounting concern over Trump’s renewed threats toward Greenland and the strain they are placing on transatlantic relations.

Belgian PM takes swipe at Trump at Davos

Bart De Wever made the remarks while participating in a discussion on the future of European security at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He was responding to Donald Trump’s recent statements that the world would “find out” how far he would go regarding Greenland.

“My feeling is that the sweet-talking is over. You reach the point where sweet-talking and sweet-talking is counterproductive,” De Wever said. “It only encourages them to go a step further – it’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”

De Wever argued that Europe’s diplomatic caution had failed to deter Trump’s increasingly aggressive posture and urged European leaders to adopt a firmer stance.

Belgian PM urges Europe to rearm at Davos

The Belgian prime minister said Europe must urgently strengthen its defenses and reduce its reliance on the United States, warning of the risks of continued dependence. 

“We have to wake up, we have to rearm, we have to integrate our market, and we have to seek new alliances,” De Wever said during the panel. He added, “He can make us slaves, and we are slaves then,” criticizing what he described as Europe’s subservience to Trump.

Former NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen echoed those concerns at Davos, warning that any seizure of Greenland would effectively mark the end of the historic military alliance.

Trump’s Greenland rhetoric overshadows Davos talks

Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric on Greenland in recent days, including posting an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself planting an American flag on the island.

French President Emmanuel Macron has already aligned with Bart De Wever’s criticism, calling Trump a ‘bully’ in a separate Davos address advocating for European ‘rule of law’. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Canadian leader Mark Carney have also voiced concern.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on January 20, Trump said his Davos trip would be ‘an interesting and successful trip’, while adding that he had ‘no idea what’s going to happen’.