TotalEnergies chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanne (2ndR) asks a question to US President Donald Trump (on screen) during his address by video conference at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 23, 2025. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP)
US President Donald Trump has warned global business leaders to manufacture their products in the United States or face tariffs. Speaking remotely at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic nationalism just days after his second inauguration.
He emphasized that companies producing goods in the U.S. would benefit from some of the lowest taxes globally, while those choosing to manufacture elsewhere would be subject to tariffs.
Trump also addressed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, asserting that a drop in oil prices could bring the conflict to an immediate end. He announced plans to pressure Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower the cost of oil, arguing that high prices were fueling the war.
Reinforcing his trade policies, Trump signaled a tough stance on economic relations, particularly with Canada, Mexico, and China, threatening steep tariffs as early as February 1. He also expressed his intention to push for lower interest rates and called for international alignment with U.S. economic policies.
In addition to economic measures, he declared that the official policy of the U.S. recognizes only two genders, male and female, and criticized transgender participation in women’s sports. He maintained that gender reassignment surgeries should be rare, reinforcing a conservative stance on social policies.
