World Economic Forum (WEF) – Davos 2026 .Customs Duties & Trade Tariffs: Are They on the Agenda?
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Event Overview
The 56ᵉ Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is taking place from January 19 to 24, 2026, in Davos, Switzerland — a global hub where political leaders, business executives, and civil society converge to discuss pressing challenges and global governance.
Davos remains one of the most influential annual international economic forums, bringing together leaders from across multiple sectors to debate policy, economics, technology, and geopolitics.
High-Profile Participants
The 2026 Davos agenda features over 2,500 global leaders, including numerous heads of state, policymakers, and corporate executives:
Political Leaders
Donald Trump — President of the United States of America (leading the largest U.S. delegation ever)
Guy Parmelin — President of the Swiss Confederation 2026
Mark Carney — Prime Minister of Canada
Friedrich Merz — Federal Chancellor of Germany
Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission
He Lifeng — Vice Premier of China
Javier Milei — President of Argentina
Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi — President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Pedro Sánchez — Prime Minister of Spain
Volodymyr Zelenskyy — President of Ukraine
…and many others from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The roster shows a rare breadth of global representation, from G7 to emerging economies.
Business & Technology Leaders
In addition to political figures, the forum traditionally hosts CEOs of major global companies, tech executives, investors, and thought leaders — making it a key place for public-private dialogue.
Main Themes & Debates
A Spirit of Dialogue
The official theme for Davos 2026, “A Spirit of Dialogue”, emphasizes cooperation in a fragmented geopolitical environment. Leaders are focusing on bridging divides — from economics to technology, climate, and peace.
Technology & AI
Artificial Intelligence, investments in innovation, and digital transformation remain high-priority topics, reflecting global competition and economic shifts.
Geopolitics & Fragmentation
Global risks like geopolitical tensions are highlighted in reports ahead of the forum, pointing to economic fragmentation as a key challenge.
Customs Duties & Trade Tariffs: Are They on the Agenda?
Although Davos itself does not set tariff policy, trade tensions and customs duties are key economic topics of interest, especially given the participation of major trading powers:
U.S. Tariff Policies
Former U.S. policy statements from previous Davos events (e.g., 2025) saw Donald Trump hinting at imposing tariffs as leverage in global trade negotiations — though this was met with mixed reactions from global markets.
Even outside the forum, trade negotiations — such as discussions between Switzerland and the United States regarding import duties — have been active. In 2025 and late 2025 developments, Swiss officials engaged in talks to reduce U.S. tariffs on imports from Switzerland.
What It Means
While the WEF doesn’t govern customs policy, Davos serves as a platform for leaders to air trade policy positions. Discussions about tariffs, trade barriers, and global supply chains can influence negotiations, boost transparency, and shape future bilateral deals. Economic forum conversations can indirectly influence trade policy and market expectations.
The WEF 2026 in Davos continues to be a major global summit where politics, business, and civil society intersect. With the attendance of high-profile leaders like Donald Trump, EU representatives, and numerous heads of state, the forum remains a key event shaping economic dialogue. While it doesn’t directly set tariff policies, its influence on trade discussions, geopolitical strategy, and economic cooperation is significant.
