In a highly anticipated address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a speech that blended economic nationalism with pointed criticisms of international counterparts. While emphasizing America’s economic strength and revisiting his interest in acquiring Greenland, Trump dedicated significant portions of his remarks to targeting world leaders including Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, France’s Emmanuel Macron, and Switzerland’s former President Karin Keller-Sutter.
Trump’s most assertive comments targeted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whom he addressed by first name while declaring: ‘Canada exists because of the United States. Remember that Mark, the next time you make your statements.’ The former president asserted that Canada ‘receives numerous benefits’ from its southern neighbor and ‘should express gratitude.’ These remarks came just one day after Carney’s own Davos speech where he criticized ‘great powers’ for weaponizing economic influence without explicitly naming Trump.
The address also included personal critiques of French President Emmanuel Macron’s fashion choices. Trump questioned Macron’s decision to wear reflective aviator sunglasses during his indoor forum address, asking ‘What occurred there?’ without acknowledging the medical explanation—Macron has been managing a burst blood vessel in his eye that French officials have described as benign.
Trump further recalled interactions with Switzerland’s former President Karin Keller-Sutter, whom he mistakenly identified as ‘prime minister.’ He characterized their discussion about potential tariff increases as frustrating, claiming she ‘repeated the same phrases continuously’ and ‘irritated me, to be candid.’ Trump revealed that following their conversation, he raised tariffs on Swiss goods to 39%, though they were later reduced to 15% following pressure from major Swiss corporations.
The diplomatic tensions occur against a backdrop of ongoing trade concerns. Canada continues to navigate U.S. tariffs on metals and automotive sectors while seeking renewal of the USMCA agreement, critical for an economy that exports 75% of its products to the United States. Meanwhile, European leaders including Macron have accused the U.S. of attempting to ‘weaken and subordinate Europe’ through tariff threats related to Greenland.
Trump concluded with a warning that reduced tariff rates ‘could increase again,’ emphasizing that his decisions were motivated by not wanting to ’cause harm to people’ while maintaining flexibility in trade policy.