At the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a memorable address that garnered both attention and criticism. While he backed off from previous threats, including tariffs on European countries and using force in his controversial plan to acquire Greenland, his speech was marked by sharp criticisms of various political figures and global initiatives. Trump, ever the provocateur, used the platform to voice his strong opinions on everything from French drug pricing to the European wind energy sector.
Trump’s Criticism of French President Macron
One of the lighter moments during Trump’s speech came when he mocked French President Emmanuel Macron for his choice of attire. Referring to Macron’s appearance at the WEF wearing dark sunglasses, Trump quipped, “What the hell happened?” The comment sparked laughter in the auditorium, though it did little to deflect from the ongoing tension between the two leaders.
Macron’s office later clarified that the aviator sunglasses were a practical choice, as he was recovering from a burst blood vessel. Despite this, Trump continued his remarks, claiming that he had successfully pressured Macron to raise drug prices in France. Macron’s office swiftly denied this claim, labeling it as “fake news” in a social media post, which included a video of Trump mouthing the phrase.
Trump Takes Aim at Canada
Trump also turned his ire toward Canada, specifically targeting Prime Minister Mark Carney. During his speech, Trump lashed out at Carney for criticizing the weaponization of economic power by global superpowers. Trump countered, saying, “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us by the way. They should be grateful also but they are not.”
He continued, “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.” This was followed by an announcement that he had withdrawn Carney’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace” for Gaza. This board, designed to mediate the region’s political unrest, required members to contribute $1 billion.
Spain’s Defense Spending Exemption Draws Fire
Another country that found itself in Trump’s crosshairs was Spain, over its refusal to meet NATO’s defense spending targets. While most NATO members agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, Spain managed to secure an exemption. Trump wasn’t pleased, stating, “Every country but Spain increased to 5%. I don’t know why. We’re going to have to talk to Spain.” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had previously defended the country’s 2% GDP expenditure, calling it “sufficient and compatible with the welfare state”.
Switzerland Faces Trump’s Tariff Threat
Switzerland, too, did not escape Trump’s criticism. Former Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was targeted for attempting to dissuade Trump from raising tariffs on Swiss goods to 30%. Trump shared the story of their conversation, accusing Keller-Sutter of rubbing him the wrong way. He recalled telling her, “You have a big, big deficit,” before going on to increase Swiss tariffs to 39%. While tariffs were later reduced to 15%, Trump’s blunt assessment of the situation added to his growing list of controversial remarks.
Trump’s “Loser” Windmills Comment
Perhaps one of the most widely discussed remarks came when Trump turned his attention to wind energy. Known for his long-standing skepticism about renewable energy, Trump described windmills as “losers”. He claimed, “The more windmills a country has, the more money that country loses and the worse that country is doing.” Trump also criticized China for manufacturing windmills while not using them, a comment that was quickly rebutted by China’s officials, who defended their renewables strategy.
Trump’s remarks were met with a defensive stance from EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, who stressed the economic importance of tackling climate change. Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, from Denmark’s wind turbine giant, also disagreed, asserting that wind energy works and would continue to be part of the future’s energy landscape.
A Trademark Trump Address
The 2026 Davos speech encapsulated Trump’s unfiltered style and his willingness to confront global leaders and their policies head-on. From criticizing Macron’s fashion choices to questioning Spain’s defense commitment and belittling the wind energy industry, Trump’s remarks reflected his broader skepticism of international collaboration and the global consensus on climate change.
While his comments were met with eye rolls, laughter, and rebuttals, they also served as a reminder of Trump’s influence and his ongoing commitment to America-first policies, which continue to challenge the global order. With his presidency now in its final year, the 2026 World Economic Forum gave the world a glimpse of what to expect from Trump as he gears up for his next move on the international stage.
