Davos sneak peek: Trump, Bessent bring American bravado to world stage
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters in Davos. Photo: Fabrice Coffrin /AFP via Getty Images
DAVOS, Switzerland — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during this week's World Economic Forum, as part of a dominant administration presence capped by remarks by President Trump.
Why it matters: I'm told Trump administration officials plan to focus on economic growth, home ownership and peace through strength — in a deliberate contrast to past globalist fare more focused on DEI, climate and even eating bugs.
Zoom in: Bessent, who's leading the U.S. delegation on Trump's behalf, plans daily press conferences ahead of Trump's arrival on Wednesday. Bessent's themes will be "The Smart Money Is on America" and "America First Trade Is Transforming the World."
- Bessent will include direct criticism of the global elite, and draw a sharp contrast between U.S. exceptionalism and European economic stagnation, an administration source tells Axios.
- He wasted no time early Monday, telling reporters it would be "very unwise" if Europe attempted to retaliate over a push to take control of Greenland.
Bessent — Trump's point person on economic, financial and monetary issues — plans to exude confidence about the sustained global dominance of the American economy.
- "At America's 250th anniversary, President Trump has ushered in an era of Parallel Prosperity—a decade of economic expansion in which Main Street and Wall Street will grow together," Bessent says in prepared remarks seen by Axios.
Between the lines: The administration's messaging and bravado are designed as much for U.S. voters and investors as for the Davos crowd, sources tell Axios.
Zoom out: Trump is expected to include domestic economic topics — housing and affordability — in his plenary address, the centerpiece of the weeklong global gathering.
- "Fresh off last week's successful visit to American workers in Michigan, President Trump is arriving in Davos with a show of force on the hottest economy in the world," the administration source told us. "Global CEOs are clamoring to get a glimpse of the most powerful man in the world."
Trump's address is designed to signal a reset of U.S. engagement with the global economic elite.
- "This is not a low-key or defensive U.S. presence," the source said. "The administration is swaggering into Davos, demonstrating U.S. economic dominance, challenging European stagnation and confronting rivals directly."
Behind the scenes: The administration plans to partially bypass traditional, mainstream and international media and speak directly to Americans, including through MAGA-friendly outlets.
- For instance, Real America's Voice News will have wall-to-wall coverage from Davos, including interviews with Bessent throughout the week.
The bottom line: The White House and Trump's Cabinet are treating Davos 2026 less like a forum and more like a stage.
