Jörg Kukies, Germany's finance minister, discusses his country's economy and upcoming elections at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

He’s not showing up in person, and his video address will come as the World Economic Forum is already winding down. But Donald Trump is still what everyone wants to talk about in Davos. Fans like Argentine President Javier Milei are celebrating.

The race to lead Germany is diverting through Switzerland, with a campaigning push in Davos set to showcase competing visions for how to revive Europe’s biggest economy.

Paris and Berlin are currently at odds on several files including trade agreements and what approach to take on China.

Carlos Cuerpo, Spain’s economy minister, told the Financial Times he had come to Davos to counter the view that Europe was moribund, touting his country’s own stellar record, after it outpaced US performance last year with estimated growth of 3.1 per cent and record job creation.

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday he does not support freedom of speech when it is used for extreme-right views, a day after a hand gesture by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk caused uproar during Donald Trump's inauguration festivities.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced cautious optimism on Tuesday on the potential for German-U.S. relations under President Donald Trump, citing good first talks with his administration, but stressed the importance of "cool heads" in the face of uncertainty.

President Donald Trump has given everyone at Davos something to talk about with his actions on the first day of his second term.

Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg’s daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy asked whether the US saw NATO as being necessary as he addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos. Leaders from China, Ukraine and Germany have taken the stage on day one.

Mr Merz argued the need “to negotiate with the American side from a position of strength”. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Europe’s generous welfare states are coming under increasing strain as weak economic growth collides with rising demands on government budgets, particularly from aging populations.