The World Economic Forum in Davos has shifted its focus. Attendees are calling it a "geopolitical earthquake." Discussions have moved from sustainability and inclusive growth to confronting major disruption.
US President Donald Trump's tariff threats and interest in Greenland are testing alliances. International goodwill is eroding.
The change marks a stark departure from previous years. Davos 2020 focused on "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World," addressing themes like net zero, diversity and circular economy. This year, CEOs report that disruption and economic conflict now top their risk agendas.
Divided Responses
World leaders are responding in sharply different ways to Trump's actions. Emmanuel Macron is leading calls for "painful retaliation" against the tariff threats.
Mark Carney, from Canada, has raised concerns about a "new world order" with China potentially dominant.
Keir Starmer, from the UK, has taken a much calmer approach. While some view his reaction to Trump's actions as too soft, observers suggest this calm response could be strategic. It allows calm heads to prevail rather than escalating tensions.
Trump's Negotiation Tactics
Michael Martins, a columnist and former US embassy staffer, says Trump's approach follows a classic playbook. The strategy involves starting with extreme positions to ultimately secure a deal.
The tensions are visible beyond diplomatic circles. Fans at an NBA game in London booed the US national anthem over the weekend.
Note: Artificial Intelligence (AI) created this article.
