President Donald Trump is poised to make a high-profile return to the Alpine resort of Davos next week, leading the largest United States delegation ever assembled for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting.
A Record-Breaking Gathering of Global Power
The Geneva-based organisers confirmed on Tuesday that the event, running from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd January 2026, will host an unprecedented 3,000 participants from 130 nations. This includes a staggering 64 heads of state or government—a figure that may yet rise—and 850 chief executives and chairs from the world's leading corporations.
Forum President Borge Brende revealed that six leaders from the G7 nations, including President Trump, are scheduled to attend. They will be joined by a host of prominent figures, such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syria's Ahmad al-Sharaa. The scale of the US presence underscores the event's continued significance, despite its critics.
The Stellar Attendee List and Trump's Conditions
President Trump's attendance comes with notable conditions, as announced by the forum. His recent assertive foreign policy moves, particularly regarding Venezuela and Greenland, have reportedly caused unease among allies and adversaries alike. He will be accompanied by a powerful contingent of officials, including five Cabinet secretaries.
The US delegation features Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Notably, Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff are also part of the team.
Beyond the American contingent, the attendee list reads like a who's who of global influence. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will be present. The tech sector will be represented by titans like Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang and Microsoft's Satya Nadella. China's delegation will be led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, Beijing's top trade official.
Davos: A Forum of Dialogue and Debate
This year marks a historic shift as the first annual meeting not overseen by forum founder Klaus Schwab, who resigned last year. Interim leadership has been assumed by Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, and Andre Hoffmann, vice chairman of Roche Holdings.
The World Economic Forum, which held its first meeting in 1971, has long been a hub for dialogue, debate, and high-level deal-making. President Trump has attended twice in person during his first term and addressed the forum via video link in 2025, shortly after his second inauguration.
The event consistently draws criticism as a gathering point for the global elite, where business is conducted away from public scrutiny. Detractors argue it often overlooks the interests of workers, the impoverished, and marginalised communities. The forum defends its mission, stating its goal is "improving the state of the world" and emphasising the participation of advocacy groups, academics, and cultural leaders.
As the picturesque town prepares for the influx, the world will be watching to see what deals are struck, what policies are debated, and what tone President Trump's record delegation sets on the global stage.
