‘Grow Baby Grow’: US signals trade wins and flexes muscle to Europe at Davos

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent used the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday to signal a more assertive American approach to global trade and geopolitics, declaring economic growth the top priority of the United States’ presidency of the Group of 20 and framing the agenda under the rallying cry, “Grow, baby, grow.”

From the outset, he framed the United States as assertive on both trade and geopolitics.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Davos meeting, Bessent said growth would anchor Washington’s leadership of the G20, not just for the US but for its allies as well. “As we assume leadership of the G20, our agenda is one that we wish not just for ourselves, but for all of our allies: grow, baby, grow,” he said.


He then pivoted sharply to the administration’s America First priorities. “Free trade should be fair trade,” he said, linking it directly to US economic leadership. Highlighting progress on trade balances, he added, “US trade deficit narrowing with unprecedented pace.”

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Turning to international flashpoints, Bessent addressed Greenland, sending a clear message to Europe. “We are asking our European allies to understand that Greenland needs to be part of the US.” He dismissed concerns about financial fallout, saying, “Not concerned at all about any Treasuries sell-off over Greenland.”

The Treasury Secretary also issued a cautionary note to Europe more broadly. “Would be disappointing if Switzerland decided to get on EU bandwagon,” he said, praising the nation’s economic clout: “Switzerland an industrial powerhouse, punches above its weight class.”

He closed on a note by asking: “Why don’t European countries sit down and wait for President Trump to address them?”