Davos heads into new era as WEF’s rules-based vision tested by Trump agenda
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
ZURICH, January 13, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Business and political leaders will head to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos next week as the group’s vision of a rules-based global economic order faces one of its toughest tests in years.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to appear at the Swiss mountain resort, highlighting the gap between his “America First” approach and the consensus-driven model the WEF promotes, as the forum continues to face criticism that it is a talking shop for the wealthy.
Trump’s agenda has included the use of trade tariffs as punishment, military intervention in Venezuela, threats to take over Greenland by force and a U.S. retreat from cooperation on climate, health and other global challenges.
The administration has also threatened Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell with a criminal indictment, prompting many senior central bankers to issue a statement defending him and central bank independence.
The 56th edition is held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” with WEF leaders arguing that meeting in person is critical amid heightened uncertainty in business and politics.
“Dialogue is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said WEF President and CEO Borge Brende, a former Norwegian minister.
Others have warned that if major powers pursue national interests with little room for compromise, the forum risks losing relevance. “Who is going to be making the case for the rules-based international order?” said Daniel Woker, a former Swiss ambassador and foreign relations expert.
Attention is also on whether Davos has lost momentum since its 87-year-old founder Klaus Schwab stepped down as chair in April. The Geneva-based organisation said in August an internal investigation found no evidence of material wrongdoing by Schwab after a whistleblower letter alleged misconduct, and named BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Roche vice-chair Andre Hoffmann as interim co-chairs.
The agenda ranges from how to handle Trump’s version of the Monroe Doctrine and the impact of artificial intelligence, to energy policy, as oil executives return in higher numbers than in recent years.
The meeting comes shortly after one of Switzerland’s worst modern tragedies, a ski resort bar fire that killed 40 people.
