Trump to Take Virtual Centre Stage in Davos

Rtv News

23 Jan 2025, 16:54

Photo: AFP

Former President Donald Trump is set to deliver a highly anticipated online address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday, taking centre stage in a gathering dominated by discussions about his newly inaugurated second term.

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Trump's presence has been a recurring theme throughout the week in this Swiss Alpine village, with his name surfacing in panel discussions, shuttle conversations, and exclusive parties along the promenade.

"Trump is a provocateur. He enjoys being a provocateur, and many people at Davos are bored in their lives. He's not boring. So, you know, it's kind of exciting," Harvard scholar and WEF regular Graham Allison told AFP.

The former president will engage in a live virtual Q&A session, fielding questions from prominent banking and oil executives. Trump, a real estate mogul before entering politics, has already made waves with policy announcements since his Monday inauguration, coinciding with the opening of the WEF. These include tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, and even a contentious statement about reclaiming the Panama Canal.

Trump’s proposals to slash taxes, shrink the federal government, and roll back regulations have garnered significant interest from business leaders, many of whom support his approach.

"Trump has been running America like America Inc. He's very focused on securing the best possible advantages for the U.S. in any way he can," Julie Teigland, a managing partner at EY consulting firm, told AFP. "He knows he needs trade partners, and I expect his messaging to reflect that."

'Celebrate Trump'
During the session, Trump will face questions from Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, Blackstone chairman Stephen Schwarzman, Banco Santander executive chairwoman Ana Botin, and Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of French energy giant TotalEnergies.

Ahead of Trump's address, one of his staunchest international allies, Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei, will deliver a speech to the WEF. Speaking at a Bloomberg event on Wednesday, Milei praised Trump, calling his presidency a cause for global celebration.

"The world should celebrate the arrival of President Trump," Milei said. "The golden era he proposes for the United States will serve as a beacon for the world, ending the harmful woke ideology that has plagued the planet."

Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce and a vocal supporter of Trump, echoed this sentiment at the same Bloomberg forum, expressing optimism. "I'm very positive," Benioff said. "It’s a new day, an exciting moment, and I’m eager to see what comes next."

'No Winners in Trade Wars'
Meanwhile, other global leaders have already reacted to the return of Trump’s "America First" policies. Without directly naming Trump, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang cautioned against trade wars, asserting that "there are no winners."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the importance of free trade but maintained a conciliatory tone, noting productive earlier talks with Trump. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the EU's readiness to negotiate but highlighted differences, particularly on climate policy, affirming the bloc’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed Trump’s provocative statements regarding the Panama Canal, which the U.S. built but handed over to Panama in 1999 under a longstanding treaty. "I'm not worried," Mulino stated. "Panama will not be distracted by such remarks."

As Trump prepares to address the global elite, his policies and rhetoric promise to keep the spotlight firmly on him, both in Davos and around the world.

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