10 things to watch for Xi’s visit, the globalisation conundrum and living with Trump loom large on agenda.

Davos 2017: Trump’s Scaramucci warns over dollar strength new 47 minutes ago Joe Biden and other Democrats say goodbye in Davos during a week when speeches from Xi Jinping and Theresa May are likely to drive conversation

yesterday by: Chris Giles

This week’s World Economic Forum in Davos will be very different from years gone by. While the titans of politics, business, economics, technology and finance will again gather at the Swiss Alpine resort, starting on Tuesday, they are no longer the masters of the universe in the way they once were.

This time, Davos man is almost on the outside looking in.

The events of the past 10 months — notably the UK’s Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election as US president — have gone against everything Davos stands for, as the preferred talking shop of the global elite.

Yet Davos still boasts a cast of movers and shakers that few if any other events can rival — one that this year features a historic visit by China’s President Xi Jinping.

Here are 10 things to watch for: Trump tales Mr Trump will overshadow the week’s events. The new president’s inauguration takes place on Friday, the last day of the forum. Few of his acolytes will be present, with a notable exception: Anthony Scaramucci, a rare Davos type among Team Trump, will debate the future of the US on Tuesday. How much can he reassure the Davos crowd?

The ghost of globalisation

Meanwhile, the preferred Davos themes of globalisation and international harmony have rarely been less fashionable. The world view epitomised by the WEF is under attack as never before. How will attendees — both in the public and private sector — cope with the shift in the international agenda?

China takes up the baton Mr Xi’s appearance, the first visit to Davos by a Chinese president, is set to be the centre of attention. With the US focusing on events in Washington and many of the attendees concerned by Mr Trump’s agenda, Beijing may seek to take advantage to step up its role. Mr Xi is unlikely to announce significant new policies. But he is expected to use his speech on Tuesday to present China as the responsible global power committed to protecting progress made in recent years on issues ranging from climate change to free trade.

A galloping global economy Financial markets have welcomed the election of Mr Trump, but the economists attending Davos may be more sceptical. One big question is if and when a boost to demand created by infrastructure spending and tax cuts will be outweighed by economic damage caused by protectionism. The likely conclusion is that any stimulus will probably be shortlived and populism is not a platform for sustainable global prosperity. Gideon Rachman Political upheaval casts cloud over Davos A more fitting motto for this year’s gathering might be ‘Fending off a hostile world’

Sad Democrats It is almost as if there is some sort of event back home that they are hoping to avoid. Several darlings of the American left will be in attendance at Davos this year, including secretary of state John Kerry on his swansong tour, talking about “diplomacy in the age of disruption”, former vice-president Al Gore on climate change (of course), and current vice-president Joe Biden making a “special address”. Hard to say who will be sadder — the departing Democrats or their fans in the audience. Either way, expect backstage backslapping and pained contemplation of what could have been, and what may lie ahead.

Will there be Mayhem? Theresa May will deliver her big speech outlining the UK government’s Brexit objectives in London on Tuesday and then travel to Davos to sell her ideas to an international audience on Thursday. There is likely to be little new in her words, but the reaction to Mrs May will provide the first taste of the Brexit negotiations to come.

The woes of Europe Angela Merkel is not making her customary appearance at the forum but is instead remaining in Germany, where she has a tricky election to fight this year. Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, who also has a difficult election battle ahead, will attend. Can he and other European leaders present a coherent vision for the future of the continent and policies to match?

Everyone is really responsible Despite the wealth on display, the topics that appear most frequently on the agenda are the problem of inequality and the anger of the left-behind. The average voter in Ohio might doubt that those enjoying the delights of Davos have much to offer, but this will be one of the talking points of the town this year.

Will technology kill us? Last year, Davos celebrated what it termed the “fourth industrial revolution”. This year technology will be on display as ever, but much of the discussion will be about threats rather than opportunities. One theme is what seems to be a growing consensus that more regulation is needed — either to maintain jobs and enhance incomes or to slow the world down and create societies that people want to live in.

Where are the parties? Outside the main forum, companies and delegates use Davos to schmooze and make connections. The call for responsible leadership has reined in some of the partying this year, including the famed Google party. Ostentatious displays of wealth are also likely to be frowned upon as much as in 2009, in the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis. But champagne and caviar may still make an appearance, as delegates seek solace from the way the world has turned.