Davos Forum 2026: Donald Trump's Return Under High Diplomatic Tension
By Jean Wesley Pierre · Port-au-Prince
· 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
The World Economic Forum in Davos opens this week in an international climate marked by strong geopolitical tensions. From January 19 to 23, 2026, the Swiss resort will host nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries, including 64 heads of state and government and some 1,700 business leaders. This 56th edition, paradoxically themed "the spirit of dialogue," is dominated by one event: the highly anticipated return of Donald Trump, six years after his last in-person participation.
The American president is scheduled to deliver a speech on Wednesday, January 21, between 2:30 PM and 3:15 PM, an address that will be broadcast live and translated into nine languages. His presence crystallizes expectations as much as concerns, given how his recent positions have reignited tensions between Washington and its European partners. Repeated threats of annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, as well as statements targeting Canada or the show of force in Venezuela, have provoked strong reactions on the Old Continent.
In Davos, these tensions have already been felt. Emmanuel Macron spoke this Tuesday, advocating for "respect rather than bullies" and "the rule of law rather than brutality," in an address perceived as a direct response to Donald Trump's offensive diplomacy.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, denounced the proposed American customs surtaxes, deeming them "a mistake" likely to lead to a "dangerous spiral" benefiting the strategic adversaries of the West.
As a symbol of the unease, Denmark has chosen not to send an official delegation to Davos, according to CNBC, while the question of Greenland's sovereignty emerges as one of the central topics of the forum. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, is also expected to discuss his "Peace Council" project, particularly regarding the Gaza issue, an initiative met with caution by several chanceries.
The American president arrives in Switzerland leading a record delegation, including his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
Even before the forum opened, he threatened eight European countries with new customs duties and announced a meeting on Greenland on the sidelines of the event, setting the tone for a potentially explosive week.
Beyond the "Trump show," Davos 2026 will address five major themes:
- geopolitical tensions,
- artificial intelligence,
- new sources of growth,
- investment in human capital, and
- the environment.
