By Theodore R. Malloch and Nicholas Capaldi January 19, 2026 (Views expressed by guest commentators may not reflect the views of OAN or its affiliates.)

To most Davos regulars, the Sunday before the world's biggest economic and political summit seemed unusually busy. This year's World Economic Forum, they say, promises to be one like no other. In the otherwise serene if not sangfroid Swiss resort town, anticipatory anxiety became increasingly palpable as world leaders were about to converge on it for what is almost certainly going to turn into a fundamental reassessment of the existing international system. All eyes are on the midweek, as US President Donald Trump is expected to make his first appearance at the summit in six years, arriving amid tensions over his attempts to acquire Greenland, his tariff threats against European allies and his military intervention in Venezuela. The annual gathering of political and business elites comes as Europe faces its biggest test ever over its relationship with Washington, its economic model and its security architecture. Trump to talk about home, Europeans to expect answers Trump's keynote speech on Wednesday is likely to focus heavily on concerns back home despite the international setting. The president faces domestic pressure over affordability, and Trump wants to offset this by revealing "initiatives to drive down housing costs" and "tout his economic agenda that has propelled the United States to lead the world in economic growth," a White House official said. But Trump will also address European leaders directly. He will "emphasise that the United States and Europe must leave behind economic stagnation and the policies that caused it," the White House official said. The US president recently threatened tariffs against European NATO allies if they do not support his attempt to take control of Greenland from Denmark. European military personnel have deployed to Greenland in recent days in response.