What’s going on at the WEF on Thursday, January 23rd?

LONDON – Welcome to CNBC’s live blog of Day 4 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. We’ll bring you the latest news, views and action from WEF throughout the day.

Top posts:

• The “woke” global left is beginning to crumble, says Milei from Argentina, see post
• NATO chief ‘very happy’ with Trump’s contribution to Russia sanctions threats
• Germany’s debt brake needs “targeted reforms,” says Finance Minister view post
• Trump’s $500 billion Stargate project is a “wake-up call,” says SAP, View Post
• Schneider Electric sees “massive boost” from contributing to AI innovation

Germany’s Finance Minister Jörg Kukies said Thursday it is crucial that his country “goes down the path of economic growth,” telling CNBC that structural weaknesses in the economy must be addressed.

He also called for some “targeted reforms” to Germany’s so-called debt brake, a rule that limits the government’s ability to take on debt.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday praised US President Donald Trump’s warning that Russia would face further tariffs and sanctions if it did not end its war in Ukraine.

“I was very, very pleased with Trump’s stance on imposing more sanctions on Russia. We know that the Russian economy is doing terribly badly and the sanctions will help,” he told CNBC.

The comments come ahead of the big event of the day on Thursday – Trump’s keynote speech, which is due this afternoon. The newly inaugurated president is expected to address the WEF via video link at 5 p.m. Davos time.

The world will be paying close attention to details of his promise to impose universal tariffs on goods imported into the United States and his position on key geopolitical and economic issues such as the Ukraine-Russia war, the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations, and the future America’s economic rivalry with China.

Other high-profile figures set to speak on Thursday include Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, who will address delegates at 10:15 a.m. local time.

CNBC guest highlights NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary General. We will also speak to the CEOs of Vestas, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Rio Tinto, Carlsberg and SAP.