Rutger Bregman, Historian, Called Out Billionaires Face to Face in Davos

He explains all in Switzerland.

'The Rupture Has Already Taken Place': Will World Leaders Stand Up to Trump? | DW News

Jan 21, 2026 | US president Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland are dominating the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Asked how far he was willing to go to acquire the Danish territory, Trump said (quote) “You’ll find out.” Trump is now headed to the annual meeting of global leaders - after an electrical issue forced Air Force One to turn back to a base near Washington. The journey continued with some delay aboard a second jet. One of Trump's political rivals is already in Davos. California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom - a likely presidential candidate in 2028 - accused world leaders AND the European Union of being soft on the US president.

"Donald Trump zündet eine Bombe nach der anderen" - ntv-Wirtschaftstalk in Davos | ntv

Jan 20, 2026 | Wie sollte sich die Weltgemeinschaft gegenüber den Machtansprüchen der USA positionieren? Darüber diskutiert ntv-Wirtschaftschefkorrespondent Ulrich Reitz mit Manager Joe Kaeser, Finanz-Expertin Sandra Navidi, SAP-Vorstand Thomas Saueressig und dem Vorsitzenden von Heidelberg Cement, Dominik von Achten.

Canadian PM Mark Carney Special Address at Davos WEF 2026

January 20, 2026

Full Remarks: Macron Rejects Trump’s Attempt to Pressure Greenland, Defends European Sovereignty

Jan 30, 2026 | French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a special address at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026, following bilateral meetings.

The speech addresses major economic and geopolitical priorities, France's G7 agenda, EU competitiveness, and responses to current transatlantic dynamics.

‘Greenland Is Non-negotiable’: EU Commission Chief Ursula Gives Direct Message to Trump from Davos

Jan 20, 2026 | European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen took to the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos to send a clear message to US President Donald Trump: ‘the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland is non-negotiable’. Watch her full speech here.

In Davos, the Rich Talk about ‘Global Threats’. Here’s Why They’re Silent about the Biggest of Them All

THE GUARDIAN: Economic inequality is at the heart of all humanity’s major problems, but the wealthiest refuse to confront a system that benefits them

This week, hundreds of government leaders, heads of state, and business executives are gathering at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. They will be discussing solutions to the world’s biggest risks and problems.

But everything suggests that, once more, what will not be addressed at their meeting is the biggest threat to humanity and the planet: neoliberal capitalism.

All forms of capitalism are characterised by extensive private ownership of companies as well as the primacy of the profit motive. But the specific neoliberal form of capitalism that has risen to dominance from the late 1970s onwards has additional features: the privatisation of companies previously in public ownership; a shift in power from workers to capital owners; and reduced taxes on entrepreneurs and the richest.

The transition from mixed economies under social democracies to neoliberal capitalism has led to a notable increase of wealth concentration at the top, which is now eroding (and in some places even destroying) our democracies. The absence of a sustained discussion of neoliberal capitalism in elite circles is illogical, since it is the main cause of the other problems that will be discussed at Davos. » | Ingrid Robeyns | Monday, January 19, 2026

• Ingrid Robeyns is an economist and philosopher, and holds the chair in ethics of institutions at Utrecht University. Her most recent book is Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth

‘They Need a Reset’: Gloom in Davos as Trump Boom Leaves Europe Behind

THE GUARDIAN: America First doctrine and threat of tariffs leave EU elite wondering how it can close economic gulf with US

In the bars, hotels and windowless conference halls of the World Economic Forum in Davos, two themes dominated the conversation: America’s ascendancy and Europe’s decline.

If the scale of the continent’s problems was unclear before politicians and chief executives descended on the Swiss ski resort, there was no ambiguity by the time Donald Trump had finished speaking.

The 47th president of the US beamed via video into a packed conference hall to rail against stifling European regulation, car exports flooding to the US and fines and penalties on Apple, Google and Facebook.

No longer will members of Nato be able to freeload off America’s security guarantee, he added, demanding they increase defence spending to 5% of GDP – a barb aimed squarely at Europe.

“From the standpoint of America, the EU treats us very, very unfairly, very badly,” he said. “We have some very big complaints with the EU.” » | John Collingridge and Heather Stewart in Davos | Friday, January 24, 2025

Trump at Davos

Jan 24, 2025

Millionaires at Davos Say 'Tax Us More'

Millionaires Marlene Engelhorn and Phil White joined a Davos protest calling for higher taxes on the wealthy | PHIL WHITE
BBC: A handful of wealthy attendees gathered in Davos are calling on world leaders to tackle the cost of living crisis by pushing up taxes for people like them.

They took to the streets on Sunday alongside left-wing activists to call for fairer tax systems worldwide.

Political and business leaders are at the first in-person World Economic Forum (WEF) since the pandemic began.

But criticisms are mounting over the way the wealthy have profited in the last two years.

UK millionaire Phil White said: "While the rest of the world is collapsing under the weight of an economic crisis, billionaires and world leaders meet in this private compound to discuss turning points in history.

"It's outrageous that our political leaders listen to those who have the most, know the least about the economic impact of this crisis, and many of whom pay infamously little in taxes. The only credible outcome from this conference is to tax the richest and tax us now."

Mr White, who represents a group called Patriotic Millionaires, made his money as a business consultant. He said he was joining left-wing and anti-poverty campaigners calling for change at the annual meeting of influential business people and political leaders because the current economic system was failing.

Over the past decade, a growing number of millionaires and billionaires in the US and Europe have spoken out, calling for governments to impose higher taxes, including wealth levies on the richest.

While only a small number of millionaires were in Davos to attend the protest, the campaigners have sent an open letter to all Davos delegates, signed by millionaire supporters in several countries. » | BBC | Monday, May 23, 2022

Millionaires ask to pay more tax »

Coronavirus: Disney heir and Ben & Jerry’s call for higher taxes »

Rutger Bregman's Viral Tax Speech Did Not Go Down Well in Davos

When Dutch historian Rutger Bregman suggested wealthy people should pay more tax at last week's World Economic Forum in Davos, his speech went viral. But he says his comments did not go down well with those in the room at the event, which was attended by world leaders and heads of business.


READ THE ARTICLE HERE »

Rutger Bregman Tells Davos to Talk about Tax: 'This Is Not Rocket Science'

THE GUARDIAN: Historian berates billionaires at Davos over tax avoidance »

#WEF19 : Europe after Brexit

No-deal Brexit 'Poses Threat to Global Stability' – CBI Head

THE GUARDIAN: Carolyn Fairbairn warns bosses at Davos that damage caused by disorderly exit could spread far beyond the UK

Fears are growing internationally that a no-deal Brexit poses a threat to the stability of the global economy, the head of Britain’s leading business body has warned.

Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the CBI, said the failure to sort out Britain’s departure from the European Union was damaging Britain’s brand abroad and had joined a list of systemic risks to the world economy.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Fairbairn said there was mounting concern at the potential for a no-deal Brexit to cause damage well beyond the UK. The CBI held a private breakfast for UK business leaders in Davos attended by the head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde. The UK chancellor, Philip Hammond, will address a CBI lunch on Thursday.

Fairbairn told the Guardian: “At my meetings at Davos, there is a recognition that the causes of vulnerability of the global economy now include Brexit.” » | Larry Elliott and Graeme Weardenin Davos | Thursday, January 24, 2019

Tony Blair Thinks Brexit Is Reversible

Global Wealth Inequality in Focus at Davos Summit

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened the World Economic Forum in Switzerland with a warning that protectionism is gaining ground, while globalisation is losing its appeal.

US President Donald Trump - who champions an "America first" trade policy - is expected to join 70 other leaders at the three-day summit.

At the centre of this year's summit is the debate over the growing gap between rich and poor.

Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports from the resort of Davos.

Lawrence Summers on the Risks of Donald Trump (January 2017)

Harvard University President Emeritus and Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers explains the risks he sees related to the policies of President-elect Donald Trump and warns that business may regret "enabling" Trump.

Larry Summers on What Brexit Means for the West

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lawrence Summers, Professor of Economics, Harvard University, explains why Brexit and the trend towards nationalism have him worried about the West’s economic future. P

Davos 2017: World Economic Forum Wary of Post-Brexit Future

Davos 2014: EU Needs 'Conservative Common Sense', Insists David Cameron

Challenged over a supposed inconsistency between his rhetoric on of freedom of movement and immigration, David Cameron tells Davos that the EU needs "practical, conservative, common sense"

Read the short Telegraph article and comment here | Friday, January 24, 2014