ZURICH—President Donald Trump will address the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21. He is expected to promote his America First policies and present the United States as the world’s “most successful” country before an audience of the globe’s wealthiest and most influential leaders. Tensions with European allies over Greenland, however, have taken center stage at this year’s gathering in the Alpine village. Before departing for the summit, Trump expressed confidence that NATO and the United States would reach a deal on the Arctic island that benefits all parties. “I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House on Jan. 20. Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland. “We need it for national security and even world security,” he said. “It’s very important.” The forum is taking place amid growing tensions between Trump and several European leaders. In recent days, Trump has stepped up his criticism of NATO allies, stating that the alliance would not have survived without his contributions. “No single person, or President, has done more for NATO than President Donald J. Trump,” he wrote on Truth Social. “If I didn’t come along, there would be no NATO right now!!! It would have been in the ash heap of History. Sad, but TRUE!!!” On Jan. 17, Trump announced plans to impose 10 percent tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland until a deal is struck to acquire the island. The tariff threat came after these NATO allies sent small contingents of military personnel to the island. Trump said he would have “a lot of meetings” in Davos focused on Greenland. When asked about how far he is willing to go to acquire the territory, he responded, “You’ll find out.” His stance on Greenland and tariff threats has drawn criticism from European leaders attending the Davos summit. Speaking at the forum on Jan. 20, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe values respect over bullying and rule of law over “brutality,” without naming Trump directly. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, also addressed rising tensions with Washington. “We consider the people of the United States not just our allies, but our friends,” von der Leyen said. “And plunging us into a dangerous downward spiral would only aid the very adversaries we are both so committed to keeping out of the strategic landscape.”

Globalism vs. America First

Trump’s WEF address is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EST) Wednesday, followed by meetings with foreign leaders and a reception with business executives. As in prior years, Trump is expected to deliver a speech touting his economic agenda and encouraging business leaders to invest in the United States. The 47th president has long viewed the WEF’s globalist agenda as at odds with his “America First” platform. At the White House press briefing on Jan. 20, where he touted his accomplishments on the first anniversary of his second term, Trump also offered a preview of his remarks at Davos. “More than anything else, what I’m going to be speaking about is the tremendous success that we’ve had in one year. I didn’t think we could do it this fast,” he said. “I say it often—we have the most successful country in the world. We have the hottest country anywhere in the world by far,” he said, adding that his speech will serve as advice to world leaders. “They need energy help badly, or they’re going to be in big trouble. And they need immigration help badly,” he said. This year marks the 56th annual WEF gathering and is expected to draw nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries, including a record 65 heads of state and government. During his first term, Trump traveled to Davos twice, in 2018 and 2020, to attend the WEF meetings. In his keynote address in 2020, he touted the United States’ position as the world’s largest oil and gas producer. He also openly expressed his skepticism toward climate change, taking aim at what he called “alarmists” and “radical socialists.” “We must reject the perennial prophets of doom and their predictions of the apocalypse. They are the heirs of yesterday’s foolish fortune tellers,” Trump said at the time.

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