Trump to Lead Aggressive 'America First' Push at Davos as Inequality and Geopolitical Tensions Rise
President Donald Trump will make his third visit to Davos and is expected to loom large with an assertive "America First" push as the World Economic Forum meets under the theme "A spirit of dialogue" to address rising inequality, AI’s impact on jobs, tariffs and eroding trust between countries. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng are billed as counterweights to his agenda, while Iran’s foreign minister’s appearance was canceled amid a crackdown, and this is the first Davos without founder Klaus Schwab, with new co‑chairs including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche vice chair Andre Hoffmann and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang appearing for the first time.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump will make his third visit to Davos and is expected to loom large over the 2026 World Economic Forum meeting.
- This year’s WEF theme is “A spirit of dialogue”; the agenda includes inequality, AI’s impact on jobs, tariffs and eroding trust between countries.
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng are scheduled to speak on the opening day, positioned as counterweights to Trump’s agenda.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s planned appearance was canceled by WEF organizers because of Iran’s protest crackdown and the “tragic loss of civilian lives.”
- This is the first Davos without founder Klaus Schwab in charge; new co‑chairs include BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche vice chair Andre Hoffman, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is attending for the first time.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the US GDP growth rate was 2.8%, compared to 0.7% in the eurozone, highlighting the contrast between US economic performance and European stagnation.
As of 2023, the US homeownership rate was 73.2% for White households, compared to 51.4% for minority households overall, with Black households at 44.7% and Hispanic households at around 48-51%.
American Cities With the Largest Minority Homeownership Gap — Construction Coverage
Approximately 88-89% of Greenland's population of around 56,000 is Greenlandic Inuit, making indigenous people the vast majority.
The Indigenous World 2025: Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) — IWGIA
Greenland ranks eighth globally for rare earth reserves with 1.5 million tons, including deposits critical for technology and clean energy.
Climate change in Greenland is causing melting ice that disrupts Inuit livelihoods, leading to food insecurity, housing issues, and increased migration risks for indigenous communities.
Surviving the Thaw: Greenland's Inuit Grapple With Their Melting World — Pulitzer Center
The eurozone unemployment rate was 6.3% in 2024, compared to 4.1% in the US, contributing to Europe's economic stagnation metrics.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms Trump will make his third visit to Davos as president and is expected to loom large over the 2026 World Economic Forum meeting.
- Details this year’s WEF theme as “A spirit of dialogue” and notes the agenda includes inequality, AI’s impact on jobs, tariffs and eroding trust between countries.
- Specifies that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng will speak on the opening day, positioning them as counterweights to Trump’s agenda.
- Notes that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s planned appearance was canceled by WEF organizers due to Iran’s protest crackdown and 'tragic loss of civilian lives.'
- Reports this is the first Davos without founder Klaus Schwab in charge, with new co‑chairs including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche vice chair Andre Hoffman, and highlights Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s first‑time appearance.