The Annual Meeting in Davos this year coincided with the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term, and many of the conversations there were about what the world should expect from a newly emboldened Trump 2.0.

In interviews conducted at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos in January, three experts help us understand America in 2025.

Guests:

Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, CEO Editor, Semafor

David Rubenstein, co-chairman, The Carlyle Group

Walter Mead, Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship, Hudson Institute

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25. Related reports:

Global Risks Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/

Related podcasts:

Tariffs, globalization, and democracy, with Harvard economist Dani Rodrik: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/dani-rodrik-economics-globalization-tariffs/

What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/davos-2025-what-just-happened/

The global economy 'at a crossroads' ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-ralph-ossa-wto/

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2025/

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: 

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

As the world record's it's highest ever average global temperatures, and the US, once again, quits the UN climate change pact, Al Gore is surprisingly upbeat on humanity's ability to tackle global warming.

He spoke to Radio Davos at the Annual Meeting, where he presented a new system that tracks greenhouse gas emissions around the world, Climate TRACE.

Links:

Global Risks Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/

Climate TRACE: www.climatetrace.org/explore

Climate and Health Initiative: https://initiatives.weforum.org/climate-and-health/home

Centre for Nature and Climate: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-nature-and-climate/home

Related podcasts:

Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/gfc-geopolitics-climate-global-south/

Breathe! The cities working together on air pollution and climate change: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/breathe-cities-air-pollution-jaime-pumarejo/

What are the 'positive tipping points' that could help us accelerate out of climate disaster?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/climate-change-positive-tipping-points-tim-lenton/

Al Gore on leadership skills, climate action and the 'tipping point' ahead: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/al-gore-on-leadership-skills-climate-action-and-the-tipping-point-ahead/

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: 

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Dani Rodrik has long argued against unfettered globalization and supports countries' use of industrial policy to pursue economic development.

The Harvard economist joins us to talk about the usefulness and limitations of trade tariffs, economic nationalism, and the impact of global economics on democracy.

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

Links:

World Economic Forum Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-regions-trade-and-geopolitics/home From Blind Spots to Insights: Enhancing Geopolitical Radar to Guide Global Business: https://www.weforum.org/publications/from-blind-spots-to-insights-enhancing-geopolitical-radar-to-guide-global-business/ Related podcasts:

What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now? The global economy 'at a crossroads' ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025

IMF's Gita Gopinath: What's ahead for economic growth in 2025

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: 

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

What happened at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025, where the world met to discuss 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'?

On Day 1, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US president, and announced he was withdrawing from the Paris climate deal, as well as the World Health Organisation, and vowed to use trade tariffs to re-shore jobs. On Day 4 he addressed the meeting in a link-up from Washington.

We hear some of that and talk to the people who lead the Forum's work throughout the year, reflect on the impact of the meeting, held at a pivotal moment for world affairs.

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

Davos 2025 sessions mentioned in this episode:

Special address by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/davos-2025-special-address-donald-trump-president-united-states/

All Hands on Deck for the Energy Transition: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/all-hands-on-deck-for-the-energy-transition/

The Dawn of Artificial General Intelligence?: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/the-dawn-of-artificial-general-intelligence/

Debating Tariffs: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/debating-tariffs/

Forum reports and initiatives mentioned in this episode:

Chief Economists Outlook: January 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/chief-economists-outlook-january-2025/

Global Risks Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/

The Future of Jobs Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/

Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-cybersecurity-outlook-2025/

First Movers Coalition: https://initiatives.weforum.org/first-movers-coalition/home

1t.org: https://www.1t.org/

AI Governance Alliance: https://initiatives.weforum.org/ai-governance-alliance/home

AI Competitiveness through Regional Collaboration: https://initiatives.weforum.org/ai-governance-alliance/aicompetitive

Global Lighthouse Network: https://initiatives.weforum.org/global-lighthouse-network/home

Yes/Cities: https://initiatives.weforum.org/alliance-for-urban-innovation/yes-cities

Related podcasts:

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2025/

The global economy 'at a crossroads' ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-ralph-ossa-wto/

Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025: the risks we all face and how to fight back: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/cybersecurity-outlook-2025/

IMF's Gita Gopinath: What's ahead for economic growth in 2025: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/gita-gopinath-imf-economic-outlook/

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: 

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/15§ 34915560

Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

The world is waiting to see how Donald Trump's return to the White House will affect the global economy and global trade.

And that is reflected in the latest Chief Economists Outlook, the Forum's regular survey on the state of the world.

World Trade Organization Chief Economist Ralph Ossa gives his take on the Outlook and the prospects for the global economy in 2025 - essential listening ahead of Davos 2025.

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

Chief Economists Outlook: wef.ch/chiefeconjan25

Future of Growth Initiative: https://initiatives.weforum.org/future-of-growth-initiative/

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025

Slow growth and the cost of debt: the World Bank's Chief Economist on the global outlook

Instability, inflation and the 'polycrisis' - the Global Risks Report half a year on

'Expect the unexpected': IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva on AI, preparedness - and the global economy in 2024

Global Cybersecurity Outlook: the risks we all face and how to fight back

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

What are the global challenges that world leaders will be addressing in Davos?

Many of them are contained in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, a survey of almost 1,000 decision makers and leaders around the world that shows what they consider to be the biggest risks facing humanity in the coming year and in the medium and long terms.

The 20th edition of this annual report reveals an increasingly fractured global landscape, where escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal and technological challenges threaten stability and progress.

Two experts join us to discuss the risks facing humanity in the short, medium and long term: Ngaire Woods, dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, and Azeem Azhar, chief executive officer of Exponential View.

Hosted by World Economic Forum podcaster Robin Pomeroy, with co-host Mark Elsner, Head of Global Risks Initiative at the Forum.

Mark Elsner, Head of Global Risks Initiative

Ngaire Woods, dean of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford

Azeem Azhar, chief executive officer of Exponential View

Visit the Global Risks Initiative and read the full report here. https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2025.pdf

Global Future Council on the Future of Complex Risks: https://www.weforum.org/communities/gfc-on-complex-risks

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

Global Cybersecurity Outlook: the risks we all face and how to fight back

Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval?

What are the 'positive tipping points' that could help us accelerate out of climate disaster?

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing leaders at Davos 2024

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Cyberspace is more complex and challenging than ever due to rapid technological advancements, growing cybercriminal sophistication and deeply interconnected supply chains. The World Economic Forum's new Global Cybersecurity Outlook aims to help us navigate these challenges and strengthen cyber resilience.

Akshay Joshi, head of the World Economic Forum's Centre for Cybersecurity talks us through some of the headlines in the Outlook, and two industry experts advise on how to prepare for cyber attacks and raise awareness of the risks.

Akshay Joshi, Head, Centre for Cybersecurity, World Economic Forum

Confidence Staveley, Executive Director, Cybersafe Foundation

Keri Pearlson, Executive Director, Cybersecurity, MIT Sloan School of Management

Global Cybersecurity Outlook: www.weforum.org/publications/global-cybersecurity-outlook-2025.

Centre for Cybersecurity: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-cybersecurity/

Strategic Cybersecurity Talent Framework: https://www.weforum.org/publications/strategic-cybersecurity-talent-framework/

Unpacking Cyber Resilience: https://www.weforum.org/publications/unpacking-cyber-resilience/

Cybersafe Foundation: https://cybersafefoundation.org/

Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan (CAMS): https://cams.mit.edu

Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25.

Tinder Swindler: how 'romance fraud' became a multi-billion dollar cybercrime: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/tinder-swindler-romance-fraud-cybercrime/

Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2024: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-technologies-2024/

Cyber has a skills gap. How approaches to tech, hiring – and retaining women - can help: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/petra-jenner-splunk-cyber-skills-gap/

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

One of the biggest names in music talks about AI and human soul. The victim of the 'Tinder Swindler' highlights a multi-billion dollar cyber crime. And leaders from business and civil society share life-changing advice.

In 2024, some of the brightest minds spoke to the World Economic Forum's podcasts Radio Davos and Meet the Leader. In this 'Best Of' episode, podcast hosts Robin Pomeroy and Linda Lacina each select three highlights from a busy year.

AI vs Art: Will AI rip the soul out of music, movies and art, or help express our humanity?

Build a culture of innovation: HPE's CTO shares what must be in place

Tinder Swindler: how 'romance fraud' became a multi-billion dollar cybercrime

IKEA HR chief shares decades of career lessons learned and what’s needed to bridge the gender equity gap

Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval?

How to motivate your team - from an organization with 17 million volunteers

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

UN negotiations that were supposed to produce global rules on plastics have stalled, with no agreement on the scope of the treaty seen as vital to curb ocean pollution and other problems.

Clemence Schmid, director of the Global Plastics Action Partnership at the World Economic Forum, gives her readout from the "INC-5" in Busan, South Korean, and says what might happen now.

Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP): https://www.globalplasticaction.org/

Circular Industry Solutions for a Global Plastics Treaty: https://www.weforum.org/publications/circular-industry-solutions-for-a-global-plastics-treaty/

INC-5 website: https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution/session-5

Related podcasts:

'Reality kicks in': What just happened at talks to create a 'Paris deal for plastics'?

A Paris Agreement for plastics

How the 'Wild Wet West' was won: why the UN High Seas Treaty is big news

What are the 'positive tipping points' that could help us accelerate out of climate disaster?

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wef

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

Space is back! No longer the reserve of a couple of superpowers, an increasing number of countries are getting involved, and the private sector is playing a greater role than ever.

On this episode, NASA Chief Economist Alexander MacDonald talks about plans to return to the Moon, and Pascale Ehrenfreund, president of the Committee on Space Research, explains why we are looking for life on Mars and beyond, and what that might look like.

Co-hosted by Nikolai Khlystov, Lead, Space Technology, World Economic Forum

Global Future Council on the Future of Space: https://www.weforum.org/communities/gfc-on-space/

Space: The $1.8 Trillion Opportunity for Global Economic Growth: https://www.weforum.org/publications/space-the-1-8-trillion-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth/

Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: https://centres.weforum.org/centre-for-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/home

Life on Mars and the birth of the universe: why space exploration is vital to humanity

Space - how advances up there can help life down here

How does Earth look from space? 'Like one big spaceship' - astronaut Matthias Maurer on Radio Davos

Meet the startup building the first commercial space station

This former astronaut shares what’s key to building strong, effective teams

What an astronaut can teach leaders about collaboration and aiming high

From space to the ocean's depths - how a space CEO and explorer approaches risk

European space chief on speaking to inspire - and making big change possible

Astra’s Chris Kemp: Thinking ‘mission first’ - and building a free space economy

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wef

Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560

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Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub