If you woke up today and checked the headlines, you probably saw a bit of a whirlwind. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the news cycle is moving at a breakneck pace that honestly feels a lot like 2017 all over again, just with higher stakes. People are asking what has Donald Trump done today, and the answer isn't just one thing—it’s a series of moves that are shaking up everything from European trade to the power structure of the Middle East.
Basically, we’re looking at a president who is currently preparing to land in Davos with the largest U.S. delegation in history while simultaneously threatening to upend the global order he’s about to meet with. It’s a lot.
The Greenland Tariff Bombshell
The big story that actually broke late yesterday but is dominating the conversation today is the official escalation over Greenland. For a while, people thought the talk about the U.S. buying Greenland was just a quirky side quest. It's not.
Trump announced that starting February 1, 2026, the U.S. will slap a 10% tariff on goods from eight European countries. We’re talking Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands, and Finland. Why? Because they’ve been pushing back against American control of Greenland.
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He didn't stop there. He warned that if a deal isn't reached for the "Complete and Total purchase" of the island by June, those tariffs jump to 25%. On Truth Social, he’s been framing this as a security issue, claiming China and Russia are eyeing the Arctic and that Denmark basically can't defend it. European leaders are, understandably, pretty livid. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, basically said today that this kind of division only helps Moscow and Beijing.
What Has Donald Trump Done Today Regarding the Peace Board?
While the trade war is brewing, there’s a new "pay-to-play" model for international diplomacy surfacing. Today, details leaked about a draft charter for Trump’s new "Board of Peace."
If a country wants a permanent seat on this board, they’re reportedly being asked to cough up $1 billion. Cash. Within the first year.
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The board is supposed to be an alternative to the United Nations, which Trump has been criticizing for decades. He’d be the inaugural chairman, and he’d have the final say on who gets invited and who gets the boot. The Japan Times reported today that several European nations are already trying to organize a collective "no" to this, but leaders like Argentina’s Javier Milei and Canada’s Mark Carney have already been floated as potential members for a specific Gaza-focused branch of the board.
Local Politics and the Letlow Endorsement
Even with all the global drama, Trump found time to stir the pot in Louisiana. Late last night and into this morning, he’s been pushing Representative Julia Letlow to challenge Senator Bill Cassidy.
Cassidy, if you remember, was one of the few Republicans who voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial. Trump’s post was classic: "RUN, JULIA, RUN!!!" It’s a clear sign that even a year into his second term, the "retribution" theme from the campaign trail is still very much alive. Cassidy says he’s running for reelection as a "principled conservative," but with a "Complete and Total Endorsement" from the White House behind his potential challenger, that road just got a lot steeper.
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The Davos Departure
Right now, the President is prepping for the World Economic Forum (WEF). He’s heading to Switzerland with a massive entourage—Marco Rubio, Scott Bessent, Howard Lutnick—the whole A-team.
It’s an awkward timing. He’s going to a place that represents the "global elite" while he’s actively trying to dismantle the organizations those elites value. This trip is being viewed by many as a "last-chance saloon" for the old world order. Will he negotiate, or will he just use the stage to double down on the Greenland tariffs and the $1 billion peace board entry fee?
What This Means for You
Honestly, if you’re a business owner or even just someone worried about the price of goods, these tariffs are the thing to watch. A 10% tax on European imports is going to hit everything from luxury cars to specialized machinery and certain foods.
Actionable Steps to Take:
- Monitor Supply Chains: If your business relies on parts from Germany or the U.K., you have about two weeks before that 10% hike hits. Look into diversifying or stockpiling now.
- Watch the Senate Races: The Letlow-Cassidy fight is a bellwether. If Trump can successfully primary "non-aligned" Republicans, his grip on the Senate will be absolute, making his executive orders much harder to challenge.
- Stay Informed on the "Donroe Doctrine": The administration is pushing hard into the Western Hemisphere (especially with the recent moves in Venezuela). This will likely affect energy prices and migration patterns throughout 2026.
Things are changing fast. What Donald Trump done today isn't just a collection of tweets; it's a fundamental shift in how the U.S. interacts with its oldest allies. Whether it's a "master deal-maker" move or a recipe for isolation depends entirely on who you ask in the halls of Davos tonight.