(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump will speak virtually in Davos just three days after his inauguration as US president in what is likely to be one of the most closely watched appearances at the World Economic Forum.
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His participation so soon after entering the White House promises to be one of the highlights of the annual elite gathering in the Swiss mountain resort, where more than 60 heads of state and government are slated to attend from Jan. 20-24.
Trump’s remarks will ensure that the leadership of the US, China and the European Union are all represented in some form, according to the forum. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be there in person, as will Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Argentine President Javier Milei will be among other world leaders there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will also be in Davos, according to people familiar with his plans. A house on the town’s main street will host the Victor Pinchuk Foundation’s “Your Country First — Win With Us” project that his country has helped organize.
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck will attend the event just one month before his country goes to the polls in snap elections, and the UK’s embattled chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, will be among finance ministers present.
“It is happening against the most complicated geopolitical backdrop in generations,” WEF President Borge Brende told a news conference on Tuesday.
Organizers also seemingly extended an olive branch to Elon Musk, who is now part of Trump’s inner circle after becoming a key financial backer in the US election.
The world’s richest man is flexing his muscle on geopolitics, from Germany to China — not just exerting his influence in the US. He’s been dismissive of the Davos crowd. He’s said in the past, back in 2022, that he turned down an invitation because it sounded “boring.” The organizers said he was never invited.
Today they seem to see Musk and Trump as a pair.
“He’s welcome with Donald Trump when he hopefully comes physically at our next meeting,” Brende said when asked if Musk was attending.
Asked about his potential appearance, a WEF spokesman said that “Musk is welcome to Davos both this year and next. There would be a lot of interest in the business community to hear about his new role.”
The forum’s 55th meeting will take place amid persisting concerns over possible trade wars following Trump’s statements about increasing tariffs, and with conflicts raging in the Middle East and Ukraine. His threats over commerce have already driven up longer-term borrowing costs around the world, International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva has said.