Donald J. Trump, after serving as the forty-fifth president, is officially the forty-seventh president of the United States of America. Just a few days into his presidency, he already seems unleashed. A total war against the woke ideology, strong stances on illegal immigration, and a very clear vision for the American economy. Even clearer was his statement just days later in Davos.
Donald Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, held on January 23, 2025, was an event of great significance both for the United States and the global political scene. With his usual bluntness, Trump used the stage to outline a clear vision for his administration: a combination of economic nationalism, energy independence, and an ideological battle against the so-called woke culture. This speech polarized public opinion, dividing world leaders into enthusiastic supporters and harsh critics, and marked a key moment in understanding the priorities of Trump’s second term.
Trump opened his speech by emphasizing the need for a solid and lasting economic recovery. He announced measures such as freezing federal hiring, reducing regulations, and creating a Department for Government Efficiency. His stated goal was to contain public spending, reduce the deficit, and ensure a more transparent and effective government. “We cannot let bureaucracy stifle our entrepreneurial spirit,” he stated, earning applause from part of the audience. Additionally, he promised a new tax reform, calling it “the biggest tax cut in American history,” with the aim of attracting investments and stimulating domestic production. He emphasized that his economic policies aim to bring the United States back to the center of global production, harshly criticizing multinational companies that offshore production to countries with lower labor costs. “If you want to sell your products in America, you must produce them here,” he reiterated, sending a clear message to companies.
Energy sovereignty was another central theme of the speech, in line with his vision of an economically and politically independent America. Trump declared a national energy emergency, reaffirming his commitment to making the United States energy independent and reducing dependence on hostile nations. He harshly criticized the Paris Agreement, calling it “an economic disaster,” and promised to abolish the Green New Deal, which he described as a progressive scam aimed at weakening the American economy. “The Green New Deal is a recipe for bankruptcy. We will not allow this radical agenda to destroy our economy,” he said, stressing the importance of an energy mix that includes oil, natural gas, and coal. He also announced plans to incentivize domestic extraction and invest in energy infrastructure, arguing that this approach would ensure lower energy costs for families and greater competitiveness for American businesses. Trump also sharply criticized the European Union for its climate policies, calling it “hypocritical” and guilty of imposing regulations that harm the global economy without real environmental benefits.
Another crucial topic addressed in the speech was trade relations, particularly with China. Trump announced his intention to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices and currency manipulation. “We cannot continue to allow China to steal our intellectual property and exploit our market. The tariffs are meant to protect American workers and rebalance global trade,” he stated. This position reflects the hard-line stance Trump maintained throughout his first term toward Beijing, reaffirming the goal of reducing the trade deficit with China and encouraging domestic production. He also accused China of failing to honor commitments made in previous trade agreements, reiterating that the United States would take all necessary measures to protect its interests.
The most incendiary part of the speech, however, was his frontal attack on the so-called woke culture. Trump described this ideology as an existential threat to traditional American values and promised to reform the education system to eliminate school programs influenced by these ideas. He criticized mandatory diversity policies, calling them an attack on meritocracy, and strongly defended religious freedom, claiming it to be sacred and inviolable. “Woke culture is not about justice or progress. It is a weapon to destroy the foundations of our society and impose a single way of thinking,” he said, finding strong support among conservatives. Additionally, he announced the creation of a “Commission for Academic Freedom,” with the aim of monitoring and countering what he called “ideological indoctrination” in American schools and universities. He reiterated that his administration would continue to support traditional values, promoting a cultural narrative that celebrates American history and identity.
Another major issue was immigration. Trump announced the renewal of the state of emergency at the southern border with Mexico, justifying it with the need to protect national security and combat drug and human trafficking. He promised to intensify the construction of the border wall and strengthen measures to control illegal immigration. “We cannot have a strong country without secure borders,” he stated, emphasizing how illegal immigration poses both an economic and cultural threat. He also praised the efforts of law enforcement and Border Patrol, promising additional resources to address the immigration crisis. According to Trump, this approach is essential to ensure the safety of American citizens and preserve national identity.
On the international front, Trump reaffirmed his protectionist vision, threatening high tariffs for companies that outsource and openly criticizing the European Union. He called the EU “an unfair system that takes advantage of the United States,” emphasizing the need to renegotiate trade relations to protect American workers. He pointed to Europe’s trade surplus with the United States, accusing Brussels of adopting policies that penalize American exports. “We can no longer tolerate such an unbalanced trade. The United States will no longer be the world’s piggy bank,” he said. In the European context, Trump praised Italy and the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, calling her “a courageous leader who defends family and national values.” He expressed a desire to strengthen economic and political ties with Rome, describing Italy as a key partner for the future. This statement reflects not only a strategic interest but also an acknowledgment of the ideological convergence between the American and Italian governments on issues such as family, national sovereignty, and the fight against woke culture.
The speech provoked mixed reactions among the world leaders present in Davos. On one hand, some praised the clarity and pragmatism of his proposals, while others expressed concern over the abandonment of climate agreements and the trade tensions resulting from the announced protectionist policies. Many analysts pointed out that this speech represents a clear statement of intent for Trump’s second term: a strong leadership focused on national interests and opposed to any form of compromise with globalist elites. The criticism of woke culture and radical climate policies was particularly appreciated by representatives of emerging countries, who often see these agendas as obstacles to their economic development.
In conclusion, Donald Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2025 was much more than just a political intervention. It was a manifesto of his vision: an independent, strong America rooted in its traditional values. The combination of aggressive economic policies, energy sovereignty, and a firm opposition to woke culture has solidified the support of conservatives, outlining a future of ideological struggle and economic pragmatism. While these positions continue to provoke strong reactions among his opponents, Trump has once again succeeded in mobilizing a loyal voter base, strengthening his image as a determined and contrarian leader.
This intervention in Davos not only reiterated the United States’ role as a global leader but also sent a clear challenge to anyone attempting to impose globalist agendas or divisive ideologies on the American people.