Davos 2026: Trump's Greenland Push, Global Leaders Clash, and the Rise of a New World Order

Hey everyone! Mohit here from Faridabad. Today, let's break down the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland (running January 19-23). The official theme is "A Spirit of Dialogue," but right now, it's more about confrontation—especially with US President Donald Trump pushing hard to acquire Greenland, threatening tariffs on European allies, and shaking up transatlantic ties.

This post is in pure English, simple and straightforward, so it's easy to read and share on Substack. Based on the latest updates as of January 21, 2026 (Trump is arriving today for his big speech). Let's go step by step: who's there, what they're saying, the big controversies, who's standing up to the US, and what's coming next.

1. Who's Attending? A Massive Gathering, But Some Key Absences

This year's Davos has a record number of leaders—over 65 heads of state or government, plus 400+ political figures total. It's one of the highest-level WEF meetings ever.

Key attendees:

United States: President Donald Trump (with a large delegation including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent). Trump is set to deliver a special address today (January 21) at around 2:30 p.m. local time.

Europe: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney—his speech has been one of the most talked-about.

Others: Argentine President Javier Milei, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and leaders from many G20/BRICS countries.

India: No top-level leader, but IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is speaking on AI. (Adani Group announced a massive $66 billion investment in Maharashtra.)

Notable absences: China's Xi Jinping, India's Narendra Modi, and Brazil's leadership.

Quick Take: Davos is always the club of the rich and powerful, but Trump's presence has made it tense. Many CEOs call his style "wild," yet they're still attending his events. Power dynamics in action—oppose quietly, but keep the doors open.

2. What Are Leaders Saying? Speeches That Could Shape History

The focus is on geopolitics, AI, climate, and the economy. Greenland has dominated the conversation.

Mark Carney (Canada PM): Delivered a powerful speech saying the old "rules-based international order" is over—it's a "rupture," not just a transition. "Nostalgia is not a strategy." He urged middle powers (like Canada, Europe, others) to unite: "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu." He criticized using economic tools as weapons and reaffirmed Canada's NATO commitment while pushing for strategic autonomy.

Emmanuel Macron (France): "We prefer respect to bullies." Warned against "new imperialism or new colonialism." Called Trump's tariff threats "fundamentally unacceptable," especially when used as leverage on territorial sovereignty. Said Europe won't accept "vassalization" and may use its anti-coercion tools.

Ursula von der Leyen (EU Commission President): Called Trump's planned tariffs a "mistake," especially between long-standing allies. "A deal is a deal." Pushed for Europe to build a "new form of independence" and a new security architecture—less reliant on the US. Emphasized that Arctic security needs collective effort, not coercion.

Donald Trump: Heading to Davos after an Air Force One "minor electrical issue." He's optimistic about Greenland: "Things will work out very well... You'll find out." Has meetings lined up and insists the US "needs Greenland" for Arctic security against Russia and China. No backing down.

Others: Lots of AI talk (e.g., Anthropic CEO saying AI could replace software engineers in 6-12 months). Broader themes include instability and the end of the old order.

Quick Take: Carney's speech feels historic—like a call to action for middle powers. It shows the post-WWII US-led world is fading, and countries like Canada, France, and potentially India need to band together against superpowers.