Trump’s expected Davos appearance rattles attendees over Greenland and tariffs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been explaining President Trump’s agenda to an antsy gathering at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Mr. Trump is expected to speak on Wednesday. The mood at the forum is one of trepidation, attendees said, with some C.E.O.s calling the president’s actions “wild” and “bizarre” even as many plan to attend a reception in his honor.

Tensions over Greenland have provoked particular concern, and Mr. Trump has said he would hold a meeting to discuss the semiautonomous territory and reiterated that he still wants it. At a news briefing at USA House, Bessent framed the U.S. approach as one of strength and partnership, saying “America First does not mean America alone,” while mocking reports that E.U.

leaders were weighing 93 billion euros in retaliatory tariffs and quipping that he imagined they would form the “dreaded European working group” first. He also said any European dumping of Treasury bonds “defies any logic.” Markets have reacted to the trade rhetoric: the report said global equities, bonds, the dollar and cryptocurrencies suffered a wide sell-off, S&P 500 futures fell, and Treasury yields rose — the 10-year note was cited at 4.28 percent.

The Supreme Court could rule on the legality of Mr. Trump’s tariffs possibly as soon as Tuesday, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told The Times the administration would pursue a Plan B “the next day” if the court decision went against it.

Key Topics

Business, Donald Trump, World Economic Forum, Davos, Greenland, Tariffs