Davos: Trump and Xi Jinping

18.01.2017

The first day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland was more or less dedicated to the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump.  Chinese President Xi Jinping positioned himself as a protector of free trade and globalization. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump didn't attend the forum, but his anti-globalist rhetoric was criticized multiple times by the Chinese president.

The leading neoliberal playground

This year, the forum in Davos will focus on social discontent with globalization and approximating Donald Trump’s presidency. This year’s attendees include British Prime Minister Theresa May, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, British celebrity chef and businessman Jamie Oliver, and Chinese business leader Jack Ma. President Xi Jinping became the first Chinese head of state to address the World Economic Forum.

History

The World Economic Forum NGO was set up in 1971 by German Professor Klaus Schwab, but really became known around the world only in the late 1990's as the political-oligarchic cartel of Western countries. An important role in forging the negative image of the Davos forum has been played by European anti-globalists, who have held counter-summits trying to work out an alternative agenda.

The format of the forum involves new countries which are represented by their decision makers. The presence of both technical, scientific experts along with representatives of high politics and art creates a cozy atmosphere that helps the agents of neo-liberalism push their projects and reach certain agreements. This “playground” is also used to coordinate plans among the initiators of the forum, including where to start new wars, which products and services of various companies to support, and how to allocate excess profits between club members, etc.