Trump’s realpolitik takes over Davos

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. DAVOS, Switzerland—President Trump video-conferenced into the World Economic Forum a year ago demanding lower interest rates from the global elites gathered and threatening tariffs against those making products anywhere but America. This year, he is heading in person to the Alpine summit with an entourage of U.S.

officials against a backdrop of a world in flux, in large part because of his own unconventional actions at home and abroad. Suddenly, an event once dismissed as a talking shop for executives who think they can solve the world’s problems has become a must-attend gathering that people are eager to attend. Trump is expected to address the confab in person for the first time in six years.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and special envoy Steve Witkoff also help make up what is likely to be the biggest U.S. delegation in years, World Economic Forum Chief Executive Børge Brende said. This year’s gathering “is taking place against the most complex geopolitical backdrop since 1945," Brende said on a media call before the event.

The official agenda features topics such as innovation, economic growth and “building prosperity within planetary boundaries," a phrase referring to discussions about how to achieve growth while still protecting the climate. But conversations are expected to be dominated by the Trump administration’s moves, from its calls to take control of Greenland to tariffs and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “There has always been a big elephant in the room that people had to dance around [at Davos] and now the U.S.