When President Donald Trump takes the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland later this month, he won't be alone. In what organizers are calling the largest American delegation in the forum's 56-year history, the administration is bringing its economic A-team to the Alpine resort town—a clear signal that the White House is ready to reshape the global economic order on its own terms.

The delegation reads like a who's who of Trump's economic brain trust: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and AI czar David Sacks will all make the journey to Switzerland for the January 19-23 gathering.

A Departure From Davos Tradition

For decades, Davos has served as the high temple of globalization—a place where world leaders, CEOs, and intellectuals gather to promote free trade, open borders, and international cooperation. Trump's presence there has always been something of an ideological contradiction, given his "America First" agenda and skepticism of multilateral institutions.

But this year feels different. Rather than merely attending as a disruptive force, the administration appears intent on using Davos as a platform to project American economic power and recruit allies for its policy agenda.

"The administration is coming in force. This is unprecedented in terms of the scale and seniority of the American presence."

— Dave Ackerman, organizer of the USA House in Davos

For the first time, the USA House on Davos's famous Promenade has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as the country's official headquarters during the conference. The symbolism is hard to miss: America isn't just attending Davos—it's claiming territory.

Affordability Takes Center Stage

While the Davos crowd typically focuses on climate change, artificial intelligence, and global governance, Trump is expected to steer the conversation toward a topic closer to home: affordability. With midterm elections looming and inflation remaining a sore point for voters, the White House sees an opportunity to showcase its economic agenda to a global audience.

Trump previewed this focus earlier this week when he announced broad strokes of a housing affordability initiative. The proposal includes potentially revolutionary measures: a 50-year mortgage option designed to lower monthly payments, and a ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes—a direct response to widespread anger over private equity firms competing with first-time buyers.

What Global Leaders Will Hear

The president's message to Davos attendees is expected to center on several key themes:

  • Trade reciprocity: With the Supreme Court expected to rule on sweeping tariff authority by January 14, Trump may use Davos to preview the next phase of his trade agenda
  • Energy dominance: Energy Secretary Chris Wright's presence underscores the administration's commitment to fossil fuel production and its skepticism of aggressive climate timelines
  • AI leadership: David Sacks's attendance signals that the White House wants to position America as the global leader in artificial intelligence development
  • Dollar strength: Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to address concerns about the dollar's recent volatility and America's fiscal trajectory

The Business Conditions Backdrop

Trump's Davos appearance comes at a pivotal moment for the global economy. A World Economic Forum survey released this week found that 43% of executives reported that doing business became more difficult in 2025 compared to the previous year—the highest reading since the organization began tracking the metric.

Much of that difficulty stems from trade uncertainty. The WEF's Global Cooperation Barometer 2026 specifically cited "a series of U.S. tariff announcements in 2025" as raising "questions about the future of trade" globally.

For corporate leaders attending Davos, the American delegation's size presents both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, access to senior U.S. officials has never been easier. On the other, the administration's unpredictability means that any deal discussed in the Swiss Alps could be upended by a presidential post on Truth Social.

A Changed Forum

The 2026 Annual Meeting, held under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue," will focus on five interconnected questions shaping the decade ahead. But with Trump commanding so much attention, other agenda items may struggle for airtime.

European leaders, in particular, find themselves in an awkward position. The continent faces its own economic challenges—sluggish growth, energy insecurity, and political fragmentation—and yet the American presence threatens to overshadow any attempt to articulate a distinctly European vision for the global economy.

The Market Implications

For investors, the Davos gathering offers valuable clues about policy direction. Several areas deserve particular attention:

  • Tariff clarity: Any hints about the scope and timing of trade measures could move markets significantly
  • Regulatory approach to AI: Sacks's comments could signal whether the administration will embrace or resist European-style AI regulation
  • Fiscal policy signals: Bessent's remarks on deficits and debt will be closely parsed for hints about upcoming budget negotiations
  • Energy policy: Wright's presence suggests the administration may announce new initiatives to boost fossil fuel production

The Bottom Line

Trump's third Davos appearance promises to be his most consequential. Armed with a larger delegation, clearer policy priorities, and a willingness to challenge the forum's traditional assumptions, the president is positioning himself not as a Davos skeptic but as its potential redefiner.

Whether the global elite will embrace this vision or resist it remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when the world's business and political leaders gather in the Swiss Alps next week, American power will be impossible to ignore.

The forum that once represented the apex of globalization may be about to witness its most dramatic transformation yet—led by the same president who built his political brand on challenging its core assumptions.