Davos elites’ relevance may not quite be at an end, but it’s hard to imagine it ever regaining the reputation or status it once had.

The annual gathering of global elites in Davos, Switzerland, is well underway. Past meetings have not been without their share of controversy and dissension. But this year’s forum may devolve into chaos. Last week, at a dinner of many current and former heads of state as well as top CEOs, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick delivered scathing criticism of European economic and social policy. His remarks were so impolitic that high-profile figures, such as European Central Bank president Christine Laguarde, walked out in protest and the host of the dinner, none other than Larry Fink of Blackrock, ended the dinner before dessert.

Then Trump spoke on Wednesday. And while he assured the Europeans that he would not take Greenland by force, he continued to insist that the US would acquire it. The rest of his speech focused on tariffs and his various “economic achievements.” On tariffs, at least, Trump has been remarkably consistent. He loves them. They are the perfect policy: negotiating tool, revenue generator, a bone to toss to workers and domestic firms, a lever of power, and a leveler of economic fairness.

Lutnick and Trump are not your ordinary Davos attendees. They refuse to play nice or kowtow to globalist sentiment. They are not on the net-zero green energy bandwagon. They believe in national power. They emphasize building and growing rather than regulating. In short, they are anathema to the Davos orthodoxy. So why are they there?

...read more at thedailyeconomy.org