President Trump is expected to be greeted by several feet of snow and an icy reception when he touches down in Switzerland on Thursday for the World Economic Forum, an annual summit of the world’s political and corporate elite — and the unlikeliest of places for his conservative populist brand to thrive.
Republican lawmakers and allies of the administration were surprised to learn of Trump’s planned visit to the Alpine gathering earlier this month. To some, the timing seemed suspect, as his attendance was announced on the heels of a feud with former chief strategist Steve Bannon, who would often place enemies of the president in the “Davos crowd.” Others remain curious to see what kind of reception he receives and whether he strikes the right tone in a major speech on Friday.
That Trump agreed to attend the global forum, becoming the first sitting president to do so since 2000, was puzzling for several reasons.
In his announcement speech in 2015, the lifelong businessman complained about U.S. participation in multilateral trade agreements, endorsed the revolt against globalization, and promised to upend the status quo. For the most part, those same declarations guided his agenda and executive decisions during his first year in office. Just 48 hours before jetting off to Davos, Trump approved tariffs on imported solar panels and large washing machines in a push to boost American manufacturers.
The move largely foreshadowed what Trump will focus on during his visit to the annual forum, according to White House officials.
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01.23.2025