📍 1. Fake VIP Pass Scams Targeting Delegates
One of the biggest surprises on Day 2 at Davos was a rapidly spreading scam involving counterfeit “VIP passes” for the USA House — a privately funded venue celebrating U.S. innovation and history.
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Attendees were misled into buying or presenting fake passes that didn’t grant real access, forcing the venue to publicly warn visitors that counterfeit credentials would not be honoured.
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The incident triggered complaints, confusion at entry lines, and frustration from delegates who thought they had priority treatment.
🇺🇸 2. Trump’s Controversial Greenland & Tariff Rhetoric
Political tensions dominated Day 2, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric causing significant controversy:
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Trump’s remarks about a strategic interest in Greenland and proposed tariffs on European goods sparked strong backlash from EU leaders and market volatility.
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European political figures and finance ministers reacted openly at Davos, condemning the stance as destabilising and potentially undermining the rules‑based global order.
🌍 3. Trade Tensions Escalate Between U.S. and Europe
Continuing the geopolitical friction:
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged European nations not to retaliate, even as markets fell and political pressure mounted. Economic analysts called this approach controversial, given rising concerns about global trade friction.
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EU leaders debated suspending approval of major trade deals in response to U.S. tariff threats, further underscoring how Davos discussions spilled out into economic confrontation.
🧭 4. Rule‑of‑Law Debate Fuels Public Disagreement
French President Emmanuel Macron delivered one of the most charged statements of the day, warning that the global political environment is drifting toward a “world without rules.”
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Macron criticised “imperial ambitions” and unilateral actions that he argued threaten the stability of international norms — a clear rebuke of several US policy positions mentioned at the forum.
📉 5. Broader Context of Institutional Trust Issues
While not specific to Day 2 itself, recent background controversies continue to shape the environment at Davos 2026:
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The World Economic Forum opened this year amid ongoing discussions about leadership changes and whistleblower allegations around its founder — issues that have dented confidence in the Forum’s governance.
These developments show that even at settings designed for high‑level dialogue, real‑world frictions and disputes can rapidly surface — shaping not just discussion, but global economic and political dynamics.