Key Points
- U.S. President Trump is scheduled to meet global CEOs at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reflecting a major U.S. policy spotlight.
- Trump’s controversial moves, such as tariff threats and Greenland commentary, have overtaken parts of the WEF agenda.
- Global leaders, including China’s and Russia’s envoys, are also engaging with business and diplomatic counterparts.
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with global business leaders and CEOs in Davos, Switzerland, during the World Economic Forum (WEF), drawing significant international attention to American policy at the high-profile event. The reception, organised by the White House, follows Trump’s special address to the forum and includes executives from sectors such as finance, cryptocurrency and consulting. Invitations reportedly came directly from U.S. officials, reflecting a desire to engage with corporate leaders on economic and geopolitical priorities.
Trump’s presence looms large over the Davos agenda, with U.S. policy actions — including tariff threats against European nations and controversial proposals such as a bid to buy Greenland — overshadowing traditional forum themes like climate and global cooperation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is accompanying Trump and has cautioned European governments against retaliatory measures in ongoing trade disputes, urging them to take the President “at his word.”
Despite broad participation at the WEF — with more than 3,000 delegates from over 130 countries, including 64 heads of state and government — the focus on U.S. policy signals a shift in discussions. Many business leaders anticipate that Trump will use his interactions with CEOs to highlight U.S. economic strength, industrial policy and trade priorities as he seeks to reinforce an America-first narrative on the world stage.
Critics and analysts say the emphasis on Trump’s positions represents a departure from Davos’s traditional emphasis on multilateral cooperation and global challenges, such as climate change and social equity. Some expect Trump’s engagements to spark debate among attendees and could realign parts of the forum’s discussions toward competitiveness, security and geopolitics, especially in technology, energy and trade sectors.
In addition to Trump’s events, other world leaders and representatives — such as China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng — will host their own meetings with business leaders, indicating competing geopolitical narratives at the forum. Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev is also attending and will meet members of the U.S. delegation, underscoring the broad diplomatic dimensions of Davos beyond corporate engagements.
Some CEOs invited to the Trump reception have expressed ambivalence about the meeting’s purpose, with a few suggesting ambiguity over its agenda. Yet others see Trump’s bold negotiating style as a strategic attempt to position U.S. interests prominently in international economic debates. As the forum progresses, discussions around tariffs, supply chains, AI regulation, and investment flows are expected to feature prominently in private and public sessions.
Trump’s Davos engagement highlights how the WEF has become a key platform not just for economic dialogue but also for projecting national strategies and positioning global leadership, especially at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic competition. How global CEOs respond and engage may shape corporate confidence and cross-border partnerships through 2026.
