On January 24, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump participated via videoconference in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, three days after his inauguration. His address came amid significant uncertainty regarding his initial decisions as president.
Trump emphasized the need for companies to manufacture in the U.S., warning that those who do not will face tariffs. He stated, "To manufacturers, I say, come to the United States; here is the best situation for your industry. But if you do not want to manufacture in the U.S., you will simply have to pay tariffs." He claimed this approach would generate "billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury" and expressed a commitment to reversing the previous administration's policies.
Regarding NATO, Trump called for member countries to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, a significant rise from the current minimum target of 2%. He asserted, "Every country must contribute fairly," criticizing the past situation where the U.S. bore the financial burden for others.
Trump outlined his priorities, including addressing inflation and border security, and claimed that President Biden had "lost control" of these issues. He touted his executive orders aimed at combating inflation and ensuring the daily lives of Americans, including customs tariffs intended to enhance government efficiency.
In his remarks, Trump also criticized European bureaucracy and regulations that complicate the entry of U.S. products into the European Union, stating, "The EU treats the U.S. poorly."
On the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Trump indicated that lowering oil prices would diminish Russia's capacity to sustain the war, expressing a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin "soon" to discuss ending the conflict.
Trump labeled the Green Deal as "ridiculous" and a "scam," reiterating his administration's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. He argued against the push for electric vehicles and declared a national energy emergency to expedite the approval of new energy infrastructure, emphasizing the need to utilize America's abundant oil and gas resources.
He stated that these measures would decrease costs for goods and services, positioning the U.S. as a "manufacturing superpower" and a leader in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies. Trump announced the creation of Stargate, a company set to invest at least $500 billion in AI infrastructure.