Donald Trump’s participation in the Davos Forum has sparked significant interest. Global conflicts, U.S. policy, and a record-large delegation led by President Trump are set to dominate the agenda of the World Economic Forum.
The meeting is taking place at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to dismantle elements of the international order — from suspending established trade rules and withdrawing from numerous international organizations, including the UN Climate Agreement, to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and threats to annex Greenland. Trump’s speech on Wednesday in Davos is being closely watched, particularly in light of his threats regarding Greenland, which belongs to NATO ally Denmark.
Trump’s challenge to international rules that have been in place since World War II, and the impact of his policies on global peace, politics, and the economy, will be among the central themes of the five-day forum, which opened on January 19 under the motto “In the Spirit of Dialogue.”
In addition to Donald Trump, more than 60 heads of state and government are attending Davos, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is scheduled to deliver a speech on Thursday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Argentine President Javier Milei are also present, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Exceptionally Large U.S. Delegation
Trump is leading the largest U.S. delegation in the history of the World Economic Forum, comprising five cabinet members and other senior officials. The delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. This sets the stage for high-level discussions on Ukraine, Venezuela, and the Gaza Strip. Iran, where eyewitnesses report a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, is also expected to be on the agenda.
As part of the summit, Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv’s G7 allies — including the leaders of Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, as well as the President of the European Commission — to discuss U.S. support for security guarantees for Ukraine following a potential peace agreement with Russia.
The strong U.S. presence is further underscored by the fact that, for the first time, Davos is hosting a “U.S. House” — an event venue located in a small church on the main promenade, where U.S. representatives will hold meetings to establish contacts with investors.
The World Economic Forum, founded in 1971, aims to promote dialogue, but is itself facing challenges, as multilateralism and free trade have lost momentum in today’s global environment.
