BRUSSELS: Donald Trump will speak online to the annual meeting of the global political and business elite in Davos next week, days after taking office as US president, the World Economic Forum said on Tuesday.

Trump will be sworn in at the US Capitol in Washington on Monday, Jan 20, the first day of the WEF gathering in the Swiss Alps.

`He will join us digitally` on Jan 23, WEF president Borge Brende said in a press briefing previewing the annual meeting. `We think that will be a very special moment also to learn more what the new administration has (in terms) of policy priorities,` Brende said.

The US president`s return to the White House was already expected to dominate discussions in Davos, a gathering that he attended in person during his first term in office. His plans to cut taxes and impose trade tariffs have raised concerns that his policies would rekindle inflation.

Trump`s thinking is in stark contrast to the multilateralism championed at Davos, where the forum`s agenda this year is held under the official theme `Collaboration for the Intelligent Age`.-AFP