What was the agenda and guest list for President Trump’s Davos reception with global CEOs in 2026?
Executive summary
President Trump’s Davos reception with global CEOs in January 2026 was a high-profile, tightly watched sidelines event in which he delivered brief remarks to business leaders that reinforced his “America First” economic pitch, touched on Greenland and tariffs, and unfolded amid an entourage of senior U.S. officials and a mixed roster of corporate titans and world leaders; reporting lists several named attendees but does not provide a definitive, complete guest list [1] [2] [3]. The reception functioned as both a policy platform — where Trump announced or clarified positions on Greenland, tariffs and a peace framework — and a networking moment that drew praise, alarm and strategic conversations among CEOs about geopolitics, AI and stablecoins [4] [5] [6].
1. The scene and stated agenda: Trump’s remarks and policy thrusts
The reception was staged as a business‑leaders’ event at the World Economic Forum where Trump delivered brief remarks that reiterated his administration’s economic agenda — cutting taxes and regulations, prioritizing energy and industrial growth, and pushing trade measures — while also addressing the now‑notorious Greenland proposal and dropping a European tariff threat in favor of a negotiated framework, according to coverage of his special address and related announcements [4] [5]. Journalists in the room described his speech as a broad, combative tour across topics from domestic policy wins to geostrategic claims about Greenland and Ukraine peace efforts, signaling that the reception’s agenda blended political theater with concrete negotiating moves conducted on the sidelines [1] [6].
2. Who was physically there: named delegates, CEOs and world leaders reported
Multiple outlets named specific figures at or near the reception: reporters observed tech and banking heavyweights in the audience — for example, Tim Cook and Ajay Banga exchanged greetings in the room — and other high‑profile CEOs including Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon were listed among Davos attendees more broadly [1] [7]. On the U.S. side, the president traveled with a senior delegation that included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks, with additional advisers such as Jared Kushner and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff also reported as part of the contingent [3] [7]. The WEF’s wider programme and attendee lists show many national leaders and heads of state at the Annual Meeting, underscoring that the reception took place within a crowded diplomatic‑commercial environment [8].
3. What business leaders discussed and why they attended
CEOs and executives used Davos to pursue client and partnership meetings, and despite the distraction of Trump’s dominance, delegates said substantive conversations on geopolitics, trade, AI and stablecoins continued across the forum — indicating the reception was as much an opening for bilateral talks as it was a performance of policy for a business audience [6]. CNBC’s on‑the‑ground reporting captured both the social interactions before the speech and the appetite among corporate leaders to gauge how Trump’s announcements would affect tariffs, investment climates and technological regulation [1] [7].
4. Frictions, absences and competing narratives
Trump’s appearance and the Greenland episode created visible diplomatic friction: some European leaders and governments signaled unease or reduced representation, an absence highlighted in pre‑Davos coverage about notable non‑attendees, and European officials publicly expressed alarm at the rhetoric, illustrating that the reception’s guest list and tone were politically polarizing [7] [9]. Reuters and other outlets framed the mood as “fear meets resignation,” noting that while Trump loomed large and signed a new “Board of Peace” on the sidelines, many attendees proceeded with business as usual — a split that reflects competing aims among the reception’s guests and hosts [6] [5].
5. What reporting does not resolve
Open questions remain about the precise, full guest list for that specific reception: sources name numerous high‑profile attendees and members of Trump’s delegation, but none provide a definitive, attendee‑by‑attendee roster for the reception itself, and some details — such as the full corporate roster inside the room or an exact sequence of side meetings — are not documented in the cited coverage [1] [3] [7]. The available reporting allows a robust sense of who mattered and what was said, but not a comprehensive sign‑in sheet for the event.