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Deal-making, deregulation and threats to global trade will be the focus of business leaders gathered in Davos this week as Donald Trump’s return to the White House shifts business leaders’ focus from social issues to growth. It is expected that
Many of the top executives scheduled to travel to the Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting of global decision makers will first attend events in Washington on Monday to mark President Trump’s inauguration.
The U.S. president-elect, who is scheduled to address Davos by video link later this week, has promised to sign dozens of executive orders after taking office, including moves to increase U.S. energy production and cut red tape.
“It’s all about growth,” said Simon Freakley, chief executive of consulting firm AlixPartners. “Every investor worships at the altar of growth, every CEO serves at the altar of growth and is thinking about how to drive growth in this environment.”
The prospect of a Trump administration has increased corporate optimism in the United States. The US economy is already outperforming the rest of the world, and the stock market is nearing record highs. A WEF survey of 900 academic, business and government experts ahead of this week’s event found that the perceived risk of an economic downturn and rising inflation is significantly lower than this time last year. Shown.
But the potential impact of President Trump’s promised trade tariffs is a major concern. The survey showed that “geo-economic conflict” is considered one of the biggest risks over the next two years.
“We expect the WEF to be dominated by geopolitical uncertainty,” said Christian Klein, CEO of German software company SAP. “Adapting to new regulatory policies will also be a top priority as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2025.”
Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, which is majority-owned by Chinese automaker Geely, said the world has become “more confusing and complex.” He pointed to the disruption caused by trade tensions, as well as the need to deliver on the promise of decarbonization and AI.
Hugh Van Steens, vice chairman of management consultancy Oliver Wyman, said Davos attendees were “uncommonly so divided on investment prospects.”
“There is a consensus among the U.S. financial community about animal spirits and trading momentum,” he said. “Nearly everyone is interested in whether the new Trump administration will increase America’s exceptionalism and divergence from Europe and China.”
As the world prepares for President Trump’s second term, regular attendees at Davos… is looking forward to a change in the atmosphere. President Trump’s swearing-in is scheduled to collide with an opening event in Davos on Monday, a concert highlighting the threats facing Antarctica’s glaciers.
“Ultimately, CEOs want to get things done, so this year will rebalance the Davos agenda,” said Christoph Schweitzer, global chief executive officer at Boston Consulting Group. I’m anticipating that.” He said his top priorities are productivity, profit generation from AI, and preparing for increased M&A activity.
For decades, Davos has been a staple of corporate calendars and an opportunity to set the tone for the year ahead.
This week’s list of about 3,000 attendees includes Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan, Pfizer’s Albert Bourla, Salesforce’s Marc Benioff, Includes Coca-Cola’s James Quincey. Among the world leaders taking to the stage are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Argentina’s Javier, who is expected to arrive after attending President Trump’s inauguration.・Includes Millais etc.
But the event has raised questions about its purpose, with critics complaining it doesn’t reflect conversations happening in the real world.
One Davos regular said he won’t attend this year because it’s “too expensive given the value proposition” and “is becoming less and less relevant.” A Silicon Valley executive who has frequently attended in the past said this year’s gathering was “totally overshadowed” by the inauguration, adding, “What President Trump says is far more important than anything there.” he added.
