Special Poll
Former President Donald Trump marked the beginning of his administration on Thursday by addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. During his speech, Trump highlighted his ambitious agenda while criticizing the policies of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
Trump has pledged to usher in a “golden age” for the United States and wasted no time implementing sweeping changes. Within the first days of his term, he issued several executive orders targeting immigration and environmental policies, civil rights protections, and reforms to the federal workforce.
Speaking to global business leaders and European officials in Davos, Trump described his swift actions as a “revolution of common sense.” He stated, “What the world has witnessed in the past 72 hours is nothing less than remarkable.” Trump boasted that his administration had achieved more in just four days than many others accomplish in four years.
Trump framed his administration’s work as necessary to address the “disasters” of the Biden era, accusing his predecessor of having “completely lost control of the country.”
Trump also outlined key priorities for his presidency. He announced plans to pressure Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil prices, adding that falling oil prices would lead to a demand for immediate interest rate cuts. He plans to call on NATO members to raise their defense spending to 5% of GDP, exceeding the current 2% target that only half of NATO members currently meet. The president pledged to lower the corporate tax rate to 15% (down from 21%) for companies that manufacture their products in the United States. Trump reiterated his promise to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, with the goal of ending the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump’s speech in Davos was a bold declaration of his vision for the United States and the global order. By focusing on energy costs, defense, and economic competitiveness, he aims to position the U.S. as a leader in addressing critical domestic and international challenges. With a rapid start to his term, Trump is setting a tone of urgency and action for his presidency.