Finance
Lagarde walks out of Lutnick speech in Davos critical of Europe, sources say
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 21, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Summary
Christine Lagarde left a Davos dinner after Howard Lutnick criticized Europe, leading to the event's cancellation.
Lagarde Exits Davos Dinner Amid Lutnick's Criticism of Europe
Lagarde's Reaction to Lutnick's Speech
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 21 (Reuters) - ECB President Christine Lagarde walked out of a dinner at the World Economic Forum during a speech critical of Europe by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and the hosts called off the event before dessert, sources familiar with the matter said.
Details of the Dinner Incident
The European Central Bank president exited during a passage of heavy criticism levelled at Europe by Lutnick that drew heckling at the dinner on Tuesday night, said one of the sources who was briefed on what happened.
Responses from Officials
The dinner was hosted by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink as co-chairman of the WEF for all of the major members of the forum along with heads of state and other dignitaries, a person who was invited to it said.
A couple of hundred people were invited to the dinner. Fink ended the dinner before dessert after the heckling incident as people were walking out, one of the sources said.
The ECB declined to comment on the report. The U.S. Commerce Department and the World Economic Forum did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
U.S. President Donald Trump's demand to take over Greenland has been met with fierce, emotional opposition from European leaders. He is expected to address the annual gathering of the global elite in the Swiss resort town of Davos on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Peter Thal Larsen, Paritosh Bansal, Divya Chowdhury; additional reporting by Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; editing by Andrew Heavens and Mark Heinrich)
Key Takeaways
- •Christine Lagarde walked out of a Davos dinner.
- •Howard Lutnick criticized Europe during his speech.
- •The dinner was hosted by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.
- •The event was called off before dessert due to disruptions.
- •The ECB and U.S. Commerce Department declined to comment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lagarde walks out of Lutnick speech in Davos critical of Europe, sources say
1What is the European Central Bank?
The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank for the euro and administers monetary policy within the Eurozone, aiming to maintain price stability and support economic growth.
2What is monetary policy?
Monetary policy refers to the actions taken by a central bank to manage the money supply and interest rates to achieve macroeconomic objectives like controlling inflation and stabilizing currency.
3What is financial stability?
Financial stability is a condition where the financial system operates effectively, with institutions able to withstand shocks, ensuring the smooth functioning of financial markets and the economy.
4What are international organizations?
International organizations are entities formed by countries to work together on common goals, such as economic development, trade, and security, with examples including the United Nations and the World Bank.
5What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
