Banking and oil industry leaders are set to question Donald Trump during his virtual appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday. The highly anticipated event has already made waves among attendees in the Swiss Alpine town, with Trump’s name being a frequent topic of discussion in panels, private gatherings, and informal conversations.
Trump, known for his background in real estate, will engage with prominent CEOs, including leaders from the banking and oil sectors, offering them the chance to address their questions directly to the former U.S. president.
Earlier in the day, Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei, a staunch Trump supporter, delivered a fiery speech at the WEF. Milei criticized “woke ideology” as a “mental virus” and expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to lead the U.S. toward greater freedom.
He praised several right-leaning leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, emphasizing the formation of a global alliance committed to freedom and individual rights.
Milei also defended Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who recently sparked controversy over gestures made during a U.S. presidential inauguration event, which some compared to a Nazi salute. Milei described Musk as a “dear friend” and dismissed the criticism as an overreaction, attributing the gestures to a harmless expression of gratitude.
Trump’s Policies Under Scrutiny
Trump’s participation at Davos comes after several high-profile policy moves since his inauguration on Monday, which coincided with the start of the WEF. His controversial actions include imposing or threatening tariffs on China, the European Union, Mexico, and Canada, withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, and reiterating claims to the Panama Canal.
While Trump’s plans to cut taxes, reduce the size of the federal government, and roll back regulations may appeal to many business leaders, economists warn these measures could trigger inflation.
During his session, Trump will face questions from industry heavyweights, including Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, Blackstone Chairman Stephen Schwarzman, Banco Santander Chairwoman Ana Botin, and Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, a supporter of Trump in the business world, expressed optimism about the session at a Bloomberg event, describing it as an exciting opportunity for new dialogue.
Global Reactions
Earlier in the week, global trade partners and rivals had their say in response to Trump’s renewed “America First” policies. Without directly naming Trump, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang warned against the damaging effects of trade wars, stating that “there are no winners.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signaled a willingness to negotiate with Trump but emphasized the EU’s commitment to the Paris climate accord, a stance that starkly contrasts with Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement.
World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cautioned against escalating tensions over tariffs, emphasizing the potential for global economic harm. Speaking at a WEF panel, she urged calm, saying, “Let’s not hyperventilate. Could we chill, please?”
