Trump cautions Europe against unchecked migration, calls it ‘bad economics’
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: President Donald Trump addressed global leaders at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, January 21, where he warned that unchecked migration is bad economics, arguing that large-scale migration damages productivity and suppresses economic growth.
Speaking at the annual gathering in Davos, Trump contrasted migration-driven economic models with what he described as a productivity-focused approach rooted in automation, energy independence, and strong cultural foundations. He said Western prosperity depends on efficiency and innovation rather than expanding labor through open borders.
Trump links mass migration to economic performance and growth
In his remarks, Trump said mass migration is detrimental to economic strength, asserting that the United States’ prior open border policies undermined economic performance and contributed to what he called “the nightmare of stagflation” under former President Joe Biden.
He contrasted that period with what he described as “the fastest and most dramatic economic turnaround in our country’s history,” claiming virtually no inflation alongside extraordinarily high economic growth under his policies. Trump argued that productivity gains, not population inflows, should drive economic success in modern Western nations.
Trump also criticized European Union leaders, saying they were pursuing policies that would increase the inflow of what he called “productivity-reducing foreign workers” into Europe’s semi-stagnant economy. He argued that such policies take jobs and housing away from young Europeans, ultimately damaging innovation and long-term competitiveness.
Trump pushes automation and productivity over migration-led growth
Reiterating a long-standing position, Trump said the US economy should grow through automation and higher productivity rather than increased migration. He argued that technological advancement, including robotics, allows economies to expand without relying on large-scale labor inflows.
Trump criticized what he described as a conventional economic consensus in Washington and European capitals that relies on ever-increasing government spending, unchecked migration, and foreign imports as paths to prosperity. He said those policies weakened domestic industries and reduced economic resilience.
He also condemned decisions to shift manufacturing overseas, replace what he called “affordable energy” with the “green new scam,” and empower bureaucracies through higher taxes and regulation.
Trump ties migration policy to Western culture in Davos speech
In addition to economic arguments, Trump tied migration policy to cultural and social concerns. He asserted that Western nations should not import foreign cultures from failed states, citing Somalia as an example of a society lacking effective governance, military, or police structures.
Referencing unrest in Minnesota, Trump said the situation served as a reminder that “the West cannot import foreign cultures which have failed to build a successful society of their own.”
Trump described Western culture as a “precious inheritance” shared by the United States and Europe, arguing that it must be defended to maintain prosperity and freedom in an era of rapid technological change. He said economic strength and cultural cohesion are closely linked.
Trump also linked mass migration to rising housing costs, saying, “Another major factor in driving up housing costs was the mass invasion of our borders.”
