Davos 2026: Trump’s Address Set To Be Overshadowed by Greenland Tariff Row and Gaza Peace Board Plan

United States President Donald Trump is set to dominate Davos 2026, where a speech on 21 January will unfold against disputes over Greenland tariffs and a Gaza Peace Board proposal. The address comes as thousands of political leaders, executives and activists gather for the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland.

Organisers expect about 3,000 high-level delegates in the Alpine resort town, according to an AP report. Attendees include heads of state, central bankers, chief executives, journalists and campaigners, all converging to discuss global risks, economic pressures and rapid advances in technology such as artificial intelligence.

Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Donald Trump agenda and themes

The 2026 World Economic Forum takes place amid tense geopolitics linked directly to Trump policies in Venezuela, Greenland and Iran. His global tariffs, including recent Greenland-related duties on eight European allies, are likely to colour many conversations. Delegates are also expected to debate widening inequality and climate pressures facing developed and developing economies.

Artificial intelligence is tipped to be a central theme for Davos 2026 discussions. Business leaders are expected to explore ways to use AI to raise productivity and profits. Unions and advocacy groups plan to flag risks to jobs and incomes. Policymakers are likely to weigh regulation against the need to keep innovation open and competitive.

Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Donald Trump attendees and absentees

Trump headlines a group of around 400 senior political leaders, including over 60 heads of state and government. The United States delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Organisers say the presence of such figures will help shape talks on trade, security and investment.

Senior figures scheduled to attend Davos 2026 include French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi, China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky are also on the list, organisers confirm.

Several leaders from major economies are absent from the official Davos 2026 schedule. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are not expected, CNBC reports. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer do not appear on the forum list, though both are reported to be planning to attend.

Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Donald Trump business and institutions

Corporate participation in Davos 2026 is led by technology and finance chiefs. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, Google DeepMind leader Demis Hassabis and Mistral AI co-founder Arthur Mensch from France are among expected guests. Around 850 chairs and CEOs from leading global companies are registered for the meeting.

Top officials from international organisations will also be present in Davos 2026. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte features among security voices. World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will bring a trade perspective as governments discuss tariffs, supply chains and rules-based commerce during formal sessions and private side meetings.

Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Donald Trump history and format

The World Economic Forum is a Geneva-based think tank and event organiser. Its flagship annual meeting began in Davos in 1971 under founder Klaus Schwab, initially as a gathering for business executives. Since then, the event has grown into a broad conference that covers inequality, climate change, technology, cooperation and geopolitical rivalry.

Davos itself is a ski resort in eastern Switzerland, home to about 10,000 residents and located roughly 5,000 feet above sea level. During Davos 2026, more than 200 sessions are scheduled, addressing topics from economic growth and security to social stability. Many discussions take place both on stage and in private rooms nearby.

Each year, organisers frame the World Economic Forum with a unifying slogan. The theme for Davos 2026 is “A Spirit of Dialogue” and focuses on five strands: cooperation, growth, investing in people, innovation and building prosperity. Critics argue that the gathering still produces too much discussion and too little action on inequality and climate threats.