Archive · 22 Jan 2026
US Commerce Secretary Criticizes Europe at Davos
At a private dinner during the World Economic Forum in Davos, the US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, made some strong comments about Europe.
He said that European economies were not as competitive as the United States.
This upset many people at the dinner, including the head of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, who left the event early.
Some guests even started heckling Lutnick.
Because of the disruption, the dinner ended early.
The World Economic Forum is a big meeting where leaders from around the world talk about important issues.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faced heckling during a private dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde walked out during Lutnick's speech, which was critical of Europe.
Lutnick's remarks questioned the competitiveness of European economies compared to the United States.
The dinner, hosted by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, was called off early due to the disruption.
Lagarde later criticized the use of tariffs and threats over Greenland, hinting at a 'new world order'.
- Who
- Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary, and Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank President
- What
- A heated exchange at a private dinner during the World Economic Forum
- When
- January 20, 2026, during a private dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos
- Where
- Davos, Switzerland
- Why
- Lutnick's remarks were sharply critical of Europe, leading to a walkout and heckling
- Event
- World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos
- Speaker
- Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary
- Date
- January 20, 2026
- Location
- Davos, Switzerland
- US Policy
- America First
- Critic
- Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank President
- WEF Duration
- January 19 to January 23, 2026
- WEF Attendees
- Nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries
Sources
‘No one forced US capital, firms to move abroad’: Kanwal Sibal calls out Howard Lutnick's failed logic on globalisation failing the US
‘Globalisation is a failed policy’: US Commerce Secy Howard Lutnick at Davos
‘Globalisation failed the West and US’: says US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick at Davos 2026
Why Howard Lutnick faced heckling at BlackRock CEO’s Davos dinner ahead of Trump’s speech
