The spectre of Donald Trump hangs over Davos

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The most talked-about person in Davos next week will be nowhere near the Swiss mountain resort. As politicians, financiers and chief executives converge for this year’s World Economic Forum, Donald Trump will be 7,500 kilometres away in Iowa, starting his quest to win the U.S. Republican Party’s presidential nomination for the third time. Even so, his possible return to the White House will pervade Davos discussions on topics ranging from Ukraine, China, trade, and climate change.

Trump is not the only prominent political figure absent from the gathering, whose official theme is “Rebuilding Trust”. Previous attendees such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are also giving the event a pass, perhaps with an eye on upcoming elections at home. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is due to face the voters in the coming 12 months, is another no-show.

The 2,800 business and political leaders who have made the trip will instead hear from Chinese Premier Li Qiang, French President Emmanuel Macron, and newly elected Argentinian President Javier Milei. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, will represent President Joe Biden’s government. Yet the spectre of a second Trump administration will loom over many of the panels, bilateral discussions and drinks parties during the week.