Mon, 19 Jan 2026

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 Faisal Islam: Global disruption looms large over biggest-ever Davos

Expect the World Economic Forum this week to be both the centre of the world and totally bizarre, writes the BBC's economics editor.

* Donald Trump's threat to buy Greenland has brought the issue to the forefront at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
* Trump will be speaking at the conference and is expected to push his "Team USA" message, which has been met with bewilderment and concern by other world leaders.
* The US administration's approach is seen as opposed to the spirit of global cooperation that the WEF promotes.
* Other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will be attending the conference and may discuss Trump's plans for Greenland.
* The conference will also focus on business and economic issues, with a "USA House" being set up to celebrate US independence and the World Cup.
* There is speculation that the White House insisted on downplaying the WEF's typical green and global development agendas in favor of hard-nosed business issues.
* Trump's presence at the conference has been met with criticism from some European leaders, who see his plans for Greenland as an attempt to coerce Europe economically.
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