President Trump is set to make a notable return to the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland, where he will lead an unprecedented U.S. delegation comprised of top officials and Cabinet members. The event, scheduled from January 16 to January 23, will see Trump accompanied by five Cabinet secretaries, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to engaging with global leaders and economic stakeholders.
The World Economic Forum, a Geneva-based think tank, anticipates participation from around 3,000 individuals, including 850 chief executives from the world’s leading companies, representing 130 countries. Forum President Borge Brende highlighted that this year, six leaders from the Group of 7 nations, including Trump, will be present, along with a range of distinguished figures, such as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and others from global political landscapes. The expected count of heads of state and government attending has already reached 64, with the possibility of further additions as the event approaches.
China will be represented by Vice Premier He Lifeng, while prominent figures like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and tech industry leaders like Jensen Huang and Satya Nadella are also on the attendance list, underscoring the event’s diverse mix of global influence.
The U.S. delegation at the forum will feature Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in addition to Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. This significant turnout indicates a focused approach on issues spanning from trade relations to global security.
The World Economic Forum has been a platform for discussion, debate, and collaboration since its inception in 1971. Critics often view it as a gathering for elites that can overlook the needs of marginalized communities, while the forum insists on its mission of striving for “improving the state of the world,” stressing the inclusion of various stakeholders from advocacy groups to cultural leaders.
This year’s meeting will carry historical significance as it marks the first time the forum will be led by interim co-chairs Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, and Andre Hoffmann, vice chairman of Roche Holdings, following the resignation of founder Klaus Schwab last year. The upcoming discussions promise to shed light on critical global issues while allowing for the exchange of innovative ideas among some of the world’s most influential figures.