Trump's statements and geography mistakes at the Davos forum. Details
The 54th World Economic Forum in Davos this year takes place on January 20-24. Its theme officially sounds as "Cooperation for the Intellectual Age". However, this year the opening of the event coincided with the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, which changed the atmosphere of the meeting. What was in the center of attention on the margins of the forum - in the material of "Izvestia".
Changing agenda and global risks
The World Economic Forum (WEF) organization appeared in 1971 as a non-profit foundation, its mission is "striving for a better world" by creating a platform for open dialogue, discussion of innovations, ideas of cooperation and collaboration. Its head, Klaus Schwab, founded the forum when he was still a young German scientist. He turned the event into a global summit that attracts world leaders, billionaires and celebrities, and the company has grown to about 1,000 employees in Geneva, New York and other cities. Annual revenue is more than $400 million.
- On the eve of the 2025 event, the media reported that Trump's election as US president changed the agenda of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The focus of business leaders shifted from social issues to economic growth.
- Upon taking office as US President, Donald Trump repeated his theses that he intended to impose high import duties on goods from many countries, which would stimulate American production and at the same time provide the country with additional income. The possible consequences of his policy, which pleased American business, became a serious cause for concern in other countries. As a result, geo-economic confrontation is named in the forum's expert report as one of the biggest threats for the next two years.
- International armed conflict and misinformation are named the biggest risks this year, and in 10 years climate change is recognized as such.
- Against this background, European leaders are preparing for "a new era of tough geostrategic competition," as it was called by Ursula von der Leyen, chairwoman of the European Commission. The fact that the Western world can move from economic cooperation to conflicts and even wars has also been repeatedly emphasized by the new U.S. president - his plans for tariff and non-tariff restrictions against friendly and unfriendly countries could be another step in that direction. According to von der Leyen, countries will compete for access to raw materials, new technologies and global trade routes.
Zelensky has switched to Europe
- Having realized that the "American card" has been lost, Ukraine has focused its attention on the European Union, in particular, on putting pressure on its main "pain" - economic well-being, the loss of which European citizens are experiencing painfully. It is the problems with national budgets that make an increasing number of European politicians inclined to reduce support for Ukraine, also money problems have already caused political crises of power in several EU countries (we wrote about it in detail here).
- In this regard, insisting on continued aid to Kiev, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky (powers expired last May 20) pressed for economic benefits. In particular, he demanded the maintenance of his country's "million-man army," which Kiev has no money for but would need if it refused to join NATO. At the same time, he noted that the country's membership in the alliance would cost European states less.
- The Ukrainian leader also supported the idea of deploying Western troops on Ukrainian territory. According to him, 200,000 foreign soldiers "is the minimum". However, the mass media later reported that the country's leaders were not even discussing a figure of more than 50,000.
According to the State Department, the US has allocated about $70 billion to support Kiev since 2014, of which about $66 billion - since 2022. European countries have already allocated almost €130 billion to Ukraine.
Ending the Ukrainian conflict
- In his January 23 speech, Donald Trump repeated what he had said before: he is ready to impose taxes, duties and sanctions on all goods that Russia trades with the United States and other "countries that agree with such measures." He promised to impose restrictions if Moscow refuses to make peace in Ukraine. Ukraine itself, he said, is already ready to make a deal.
- According to Trump, he intends to achieve a reduction in global oil prices, which he believes will end the conflict. He reiterated that he intends to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible, as well as bring China into the talks.
- Although Zelensky did allow for the possibility of negotiations with the Russian leader, provided that the new American leader guarantees the security of the Ukrainian side, few believe in the likelihood of a truce soon. Even though Zelensky now admits that negotiations could begin if Ukraine never returns to the 2022 borders (which Kiev has previously insisted on as a necessary condition), no settlement options that could suit Russia are being considered. The expert community believes that this is due to the fact that Western leaders initially led Kiev to believe that final peace talks would mean Russia's capitulation.
- Among other things, the US President noted that he would like to reach an agreement with Russia on the reduction of nuclear arsenals. The Kremlin also emphasizes the importance of this issue, but reminds that the legal framework for arms control has been significantly undermined and through no fault of the Russian Federation. In Moscow's view, the ball in these negotiations is on Washington's side.
Exchange of courtesies and confusion over geography
- An off-the-record verbal altercation caused a great resonance at the forum. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his rejection of "extreme right-wing views," commenting on the gesture of American billionaire Ilon Musk on the day of the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which resembled a Nazi salute. In addition, Scholz called unacceptable the support Musk gives to "far-right" forces in Europe.
- Entrepreneur Ilon Musk in response to criticism from the Chancellor mangled his name, calling the politician a dumbass.
- Not without other mishaps. Thus, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking on the margins of the forum, was confused about the military situation in Ukraine. The head of the alliance said that the front is allegedly moving "in the wrong direction, to the east," although in reality it is shifting to the west. The NATO Secretary General did not notice his mistake and continued his speech, calling to "change the trajectory of the conflict".
While preparing the material, Izvestia spoke with:
- political scientist Dmitry Solonnikov;
- political scientist Alexei Mukhin.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
