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Trump set to dominate Davos amid Greenland controversy
World leaders and corporate executives gather in the Swiss Alps this week for the World Economic Forum (WEF), where U.S. President Donald Trump's attendance-and his persistent interest in acquiring Greenland-will take center stage. The annual summit, typically a platform for global cooperation, is expected to be overshadowed by geopolitical friction and economic disruption under Trump's leadership.
Trump's disruptive presence
Trump, who has previously addressed the WEF remotely, will make his first in-person appearance since taking office. His 2020 virtual speech, delivered just days after his inauguration, left European executives uneasy as he joked about his territorial ambitions for Canada and Greenland, warning businesses to invest in the U.S. or face steep tariffs. This year, his physical presence is poised to amplify tensions, particularly over his administration's efforts to pressure Europe into selling Greenland.
Described in WEF circles as the "disruptor-in-chief," Trump's policies have sparked what one forum session might label "The Great Global Disruption." His economic coercion tactics, including threats of tariffs, have rattled allies and competitors alike. While the official WEF theme is "A Spirit of Dialogue," Trump's America-first agenda clashes with the forum's tradition of multilateralism.
Davos as a battleground for global influence
The WEF, often criticized by conservative figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a bastion of "woke" ideology, has reportedly toned down its usual focus on climate and social issues this year at the White House's request. Instead, the agenda prioritizes hard-nosed business discussions, reflecting Trump's priorities. Meanwhile, U.S. corporations have organized a "USA House" in a local church to celebrate American milestones, including the 250th anniversary of independence.
With global conflicts raging-from Greenland to Ukraine to Venezuela-the gathering has drawn comparisons to the 1945 Yalta Conference, where Allied leaders redrew post-war borders. This year's lineup includes most G7 leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and 65 other heads of state, alongside 850 corporate executives and tech innovators. Trump arrives with a large delegation, including five cabinet members and business leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Microsoft's Satya Nadella.
Europe's alternative vision
Trump's Greenland ambitions are unlikely to resonate with European attendees, who view the island as a sovereign territory of Denmark. Instead, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney may emerge as a counterpoint to Trump's nationalism. Carney, who has steered Canada's economy through U.S. trade turbulence by diversifying partnerships, recently reinforced multilateralism alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping. His presence underscores a broader pushback against Trump's unilateralism.
China, represented by its finance minister, will also use the forum to position itself as a stabilizing force in the global economy. As the world's second-largest economy and top car exporter, Beijing's delegation will highlight its technological and geopolitical ascent-a narrative that gained traction last year when Chinese AI firm DeepSeek upstaged U.S. tech dominance at Davos.
Why Davos still matters
Despite criticism, the WEF remains a rare venue where world leaders, CEOs, and innovators converge. Past forums have foreshadowed major shifts, from quantum computing a decade ago to China's dominance in electric vehicle batteries last year. This year's event, though overshadowed by Trump's disruption, may yet reveal the contours of the next global order.
"The future can be found in some of its most brightly branded corners,"
WEF observer
