Davos, Switzerland — As the annual World Economic Forum event commenced in the picturesque Swiss Alps, U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines with his actions on the first day of his return to office. Energy sector leaders were quick to respond to Trump’s fervent proclamation to “drill, baby, drill,” while foreign dignitaries interpreted his intentions around expanding U.S. territories. Meanwhile, the introduction of his “External Revenue Service” to collect tariffs raised concerns among numerous business executives attending the prestigious forum.
From the onset of the day’s events, Trump’s executive directives and impassioned speeches sparked considerable discussion. Here’s a breakdown of some crucial subjects addressed during the forum.
**Europe’s Strong Stand on Climate Issues**
The tone was set early as participants pivoted to tackle Trump’s new direction in U.S. policies. Amidst the confusion over various statements, European leaders prominently emphasized the battle against climate change, especially following Trump’s executive order reaffirming the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, stressed that the 2015 agreement is “the best hope for all humanity,” asserting that Europe would persist in its efforts to collaborate with all nations dedicated to environmental protection and reducing global warming.
The Paris Agreement aims at capping long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels or at least keeping it significantly under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit). Before Von der Leyen’s remarks, activists had unfurled a banner in the Davos Congress Center atrium demanding, “Tax the super-rich! Fund a just and green future.” Even in the absence of U.S. government participation, the private sector along with pioneering nations like China continued to champion the fight against climate change. “The world is undergoing an energy transition that is unstoppable,” remarked Simon Stiell, the UN climate chief, while leaving the door open for U.S. rejoining the Paris Accord in the future.
**The State of Democracy and Human Rights**
As often is the case with Trump, business leaders and political analysts attempted to decipher his bombastic declarations, such as the call for territorial expansion or the initiative to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” Across Europe, viewed as a bastion of democratic values, political unrest has emerged in various nations including France and Germany. Meanwhile, some leaders, like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, have positioned themselves as supporters of Trump.
Alain Berset, former Chairman of the Council of Europe, which advocates for human rights and democracy, commented that while Trump had been democratically elected, there is a pressing need to protect democracy. “We are seeing a regression of democracy around the globe, even in the most sophisticated settings,” he expressed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has recently criticized Elon Musk for his backing of far-right groups in Europe, was also slated to speak later that day as his own political stability in economically stagnant Germany appeared fragile. Polls indicated that the Social Democrats, now in third place, might soon be overtaken by conservative Friedrich Merz, poised to partake in discussions at Davos that afternoon.
**Zelenskyy Calls for European Unity**
Although Trump claimed he could resolve the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict swiftly during his campaign, he refrained from mentioning the two countries in his inauguration address, aiming instead to establish himself as a “peacemaker and a unifier” in a broader context. In sharp contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy utilized his platform in Davos to encourage European allies to stay united. He emphasized the necessity for Europe to assert itself as a strong global player, affirming, “We can’t allow Europe to be sidelined; the world will inevitably progress without them if they do.” Zelenskyy recognized the significant support from the U.S. and assured that such alliances are vital during times of conflict.
**Middle East Peace Efforts and Trump’s Potential Role**
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani expressed optimism about the possibility of instigating stability in the Middle East after playing a crucial role in arranging the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. He celebrated the positive developments resulting from the fighting ceasefire. In a panel discussion centered on conflict resolution, Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian aid coordinator, voiced hope that Trump could lead groundbreaking initiatives towards Middle East peace – a challenge that has long eluded many of his predecessors. “This could be your moment for a significant achievement,” he stated, adding a candid piece of advice for Trump: “Don’t be a loser. Be a winner.”
