The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo: WEF
The National's Mina Al-Oraibi, Time magazine editor Sam Jacobs, The Asia Group's Samir Saran and The Economist's Patrick Foulis speak at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo

Trump’s ‘moment of change’ hangs over Davos


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

As the minutes ticked down to Donald Trump's oath of office, panellists at Davos were asked to forecast the fate of almost every corner of the world. The audience in the Swiss Alps seemed to appreciate the enormity of the question.

The US, Europe, the Middle East, China, Africa and South America: guests at the World Economic Forum were eager for predictions from journalists on how Mr Trump's second term might play out for each of them.

Some of Mr Trump's policies may be familiar from his first term in the White House, such as tariffs on China and pressure on Iran. But much has changed since he left Washington in 2021, from the war in Ukraine to developments in the Middle East such as the war and ceasefire in Gaza and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

People watch the inauguration of Donald Trump at Ukraine House in Davos. AP
People watch the inauguration of Donald Trump at Ukraine House in Davos. AP

The National's editor-in-chief, Mina Al-Oraibi, told the Davos audience that Mr Trump was assuming power at a time of weakened international law and uncertainty over the future security architecture of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "It is a moment of change and unpredictability and it's not clear what the Trump Doctrine will look like. But I think everyone feels like there is a moment for change that's needed," she said.

In the Gaza ceasefire talks involving Israel and Hamas "the changed factor was the US factor", she said. "This was the same deal that 13 months ago the Americans had said that they could pull off under a Joe Biden administration.

"But ultimately it was the Trump factor - Trump clearly saying there had to be a ceasefire before inauguration. That moment crystallises what people are expecting under a Trump administration that comes with many lessons from its first stint at the White House, but also lessons learned of what can be possible in the Middle East."

The Davos panel hosted by Samir Saran, the president of India's Observer Research Foundation, tipped Mr Trump to take an economically-minded approach to foreign affairs. The Economist's foreign editor Patrick Foulis predicted he would turn to New York business tactics and and trim some of America's "weak obligations" in the world.

"American deterrence has collapsed around the world. People are simply not as intimidated by this superpower," he said. "I see the Trumpian agenda essentially as a more comprehensive and forceful expression of American power on a much more limited geographic scope."

At home Mr Trump is taking office after winning the popular vote for the first time, defeating Kamala Harris, and has seen major tech companies shift towards a friendlier position. He has Elon Musk, the owner of social media giant X, on board to help him reimagine the American state.

But while his popularity is grown, some of his ideas such as scrapping birthright citizenship, and tariffs that could lead to higher prices, are less popular, said Time magazine's editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs. "Americans have gravitated towards this president but there are plenty of his ideas they have not gravitated towards," he said.

"The other big point of tension I think for this president is the fact that he ran on a pro-growth agenda and he has anti-growth policies. We have to see how these two things are going to play out."

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The biog

Name: Mariam Ketait

Emirate: Dubai

Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language

Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown

Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

 

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule

Friday

First practice, 1pm 
Second practice, 5pm

Saturday

Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm

Sunday

Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm

French Touch

Carla Bruni

(Verve)

Updated: January 21, 2025, 5:53 AM`