Davos 2026: Bending to Trump's Will
- Rex Ballard
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The Transformation of the World Economic Forum
As the snow-capped peaks of Davos, Switzerland, welcome nearly 3,000 global leaders for the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) from January 19–23, 2026, one figure looms larger than ever: U.S. President Donald Trump. Leading the largest U.S. delegation in history, including key Cabinet members like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's presence has reshaped the forum's agenda, tone, and dynamics. What was once a bastion of multilateralism, stakeholder capitalism, and climate action now pivots toward U.S.-centric themes like AI, economic resilience, and adaptation to American unilateralism. Critics and supporters alike describe this as Davos "bending to Trump's will," a stark departure from the forum's traditional ethos.
This year's theme, "A Spirit of Dialogue," ironically underscores the tensions. While the WEF promotes cooperation amid "contested norms and eroding trust," Trump's aggressive policies—from tariff threats over Greenland to interventions in Venezuela—have forced attendees to prioritize deference over debate. As one Reuters Breakingviews analysis puts it, the elite gathering is preparing to "bend" to Trump's vision, sidelining progressive ideals in favor of navigating U.S. dominance.
The Greenland Controversy: A Flashpoint of U.S. Leverage
At the heart of Davos' transformation is Trump's renewed push for U.S. control of Greenland, framed as essential for national security amid Arctic rivalries with Russia and China. On January 17, Trump announced 10% tariffs starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June, on goods from eight NATO allies—Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Britain, and Norway—if they oppose the acquisition. He labeled it a response to nations "playing a very dangerous game," despite U.S. alliances.
Denmark's response was swift: a full government boycott of Davos, protesting the WEF's invitation to Greenlandic officials as an "independent entity," seen as endorsing U.S. ambitions and breaching sovereignty. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared, "Europe will not be blackmailed," while thousands protested in Greenland and Denmark with "Hands Off Greenland" signs. This absence highlights how Trump's tactics have fractured traditional alliances, forcing the forum to navigate U.S. pressure.
The European Union, meanwhile, is scrambling. Leaders held emergency talks, preparing retaliatory tariffs on up to €93 billion ($108 billion) in U.S. exports, potentially activating the "Anti-Coercion Instrument" to restrict U.S. access to tenders and services. Yet, the emphasis is on "engage, not escalate," with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating Europe would retaliate "if necessary" but seeks resolution. French Finance Minister Roland Lescure advocated preparedness, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas affirmed the bloc would "hold our ground" without picking fights. An emergency EU summit on January 22 aims to unify responses. Trump's refusal to rule out force, responding "no comment," has heightened alarms of a "downward spiral" in transatlantic ties.
Agenda Overhaul: From Globalism to Trumpism
The WEF's program reflects this bending. Traditional pillars like "stakeholder capitalism," climate goals, fair taxation, and sustainability have been de-emphasized, replaced by sessions on AI, crypto, economic resilience, and "unlocking new sources of growth." Gender diversity and climate have "slipped down the agenda," with POLITICO noting a "sharp shift" from "woke" topics to ones aligning with Trump's priorities. Trump's Wednesday keynote is expected to outline deregulation, rapid AI approvals, energy infrastructure, and an end to "Green New Deal nonsense," while demanding cooperation on strategic assets like Greenland. A post-speech reception with global CEOs underscores his pull.
Political economist Mark Blyth's blunt assessment—"This is the death of Davos. It has no relevance, none whatsoever"—captures the sentiment, echoed in media like The New York Times, which notes "deference to Trump has replaced everything." TIME Magazine highlights how Trump's tariffs and policies test global consensus. On X, Trump supporters hail it as the "end of the WEF" and "terms of surrender," while critics decry it as the forum's irrelevance in a Trump-led order.
A New World Order? Implications of Davos' Pivot
Trump's Davos strategy signals a broader rejection of post-WWII multilateralism, favoring bilateral deals and "America First." Withdrawals from 66 global bodies and tracking "domestic chaos" funding underscore this. Speculation abounds on a "New Bretton Woods" or asset-backed dollar, potentially upending central banking.
For the WEF, this could mark irrelevance in a fragmented world, as Blyth suggests. Yet, with record attendance and leaders like China's He Lifeng and Argentina's Javier Milei, the forum adapts, perhaps surviving by aligning with power. As X users proclaim the "death of Davos" or Trump's "golden age," the week ahead will test if this bend becomes a break.
