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Flags flying at Davos this week Alamy Stock Photo
World Economic Forum
Taoiseach to travel to high-stakes Davos summit as world leaders brace for Trump tariff showdown
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will also attend the World Economic Forum.
LAST UPDATE | 20 Jan
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will both attend the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, where the key focus is set to be US President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs on countries that oppose his plans for Greenland.
Burke travelled to the summit yesterday, while the Taoiseach is expected to arrive in Davos on Wednesday.
An emergency European Council meeting on Thursday to discuss the tariff threat fallout is complicating timings for European leaders at Davos.
The Taoiseach is due to speak as part of a panel on Thursday alongside the Prime Minister of Greece and the President European Investment Bank. The panel is about declining productivity and what can be done to reverse the trend.
The Taoiseach will also travel to Brussels on Thursday for an emergency European Council meeting to discuss the tariff threat fallout.
The US president is scheduled to make his first appearance at Davos in six years amid simmering tensions over Greenland.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has cancelled his participation in this week’s summit in Switzerland after coming down with a “bad cold”, a spokesman said today.
‘Avoid escalation’
Yesterday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe wants to “avoid escalation” of the tariff threats.
Trump vowed over the weekend to slap EU members Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden — and non-members Britain and Norway — with extra levies unless Greenland is ceded to the US.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said yesterday that now is “a time for cool heads”.
Harris was in Brussels yesterday to meet with fellow European finance ministers to discuss Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on the eight countries.
The Finance Minister said the “destabilising effects of the recent geopolitical developments could potentially be enormous. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we seek dialogue” with the US.
Ahead of the summit today in Switzerland, the German Chancellor said he would seek to meet Trump in Davos today.
“We simply want to try to resolve this problem together, and the American government knows that we could also retaliate,” he said, stating that European interests will be to the fore.
The forum takes place a day before European leaders will hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to discuss their response to one of the most serious of crises to hit the transatlantic relationship.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent yesterday warned European nations against retaliatory tariffs, stating it would be “very unwise”.
Taoiseach holds meeting ahead of Davos and Brussels summits
Ahead of travelling to Davos and Brussels this week, the Taoiseach convened a meeting yesterday with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, Minister of State Thomas Byrne, Minister of State Sean Canney and senior officials in Finance to discuss the ongoing situation on Greenland and the threat of tariffs on some EU members.
The meeting assessed the potential implications for Europe if US tariffs proceed. The meeting also discussed the need for continued solidarity across the EU, as well as respect for the integrity and rights of the people of Greenland.
It is understood that it was agreed there is a need for continued dialogue ahead of engagement with EU partners this week.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Burke said he looked forward to represent the Irish Government and engage with senior executives and political leaders from around the world to share Ireland’s positive message.
“At a time when so many developed economies are dealing with economic and political headwinds, the Irish economy continues to grow, and I will be emphasising Ireland’s capabilities as a strong, dynamic country,” he said.
Davos runs from Monday evening to Friday morning, with this year’s theme being “a spirit of dialogue”.
With reporting by AFP and Rónán Duffy
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