Jan 15, 2026, 1:46 p.mJan 15, 2026, 1:46 p.m
The new co-president of the World Economic Forum (WEF), André Hoffmann, has no great expectations of US President Donald Trump’s appearance at the WEF meeting in Davos next week. He doesn’t know what Trump wants to say, but “I basically don’t expect any miracles,” said the Roche heir in an interview with the “Handelszeitung”.
André Hoffmann, the new co-president of the WEF.Image: KEYSTONE
It is Hoffmann’s first interview in his role as co-president of the WEF Foundation Board. He took over the position in the summer together with BlackRock founder Larry Fink. He is not afraid of a scandal, although he once described Trump as a “corrupt old man”.
“The WEF very much welcomes the fact that the president of the world’s largest power is coming to Davos,” said Hoffmann. “If we want to have a real Spirit of Dialogue, then different and important voices have to be there,” said the new WEF boss.
Hoffmann denies that the WEF program was changed because of Trump and that woke topics were deleted. «No, that’s not true. The program was in place long before it was clear that the USA would be traveling with a large delegation. And there was never a request to change the program.
After the forced departure of WEF founder Klaus Schwab, Hoffmann sees no major need for reform within the WEF organization itself, not even in the board of trustees. The WEF annual meeting will remain in Davos – he agreed with Larry Fink on this.
There are also no reforms in sight at the WEF as an organization itself. “At the moment everything remains as it is.” What is particularly important is the content work. And in addition to the meeting in Davos, the other events of the year should also become more relevant.
After the abrupt departure of Klaus Schwab, the WEF founder will not receive a farewell on the big stage in Davos. «We will say goodbye to the founder of the forum with dignity, we will do that later. But not in January.” (dab/sda/awp)