Guterres criticizes the disregard for international law during Trump's Davos speech
In a striking move with profound political implications, UN Secretary-General António Guterres sharply criticized leaders who treat international law with “contempt.” His remarks, delivered via Twitter (formerly known as “X”), came on Wednesday, coinciding precisely with US President Donald Trump’s address to the global economic and political elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Guterres' message: A warning against undermining the global order
In a tweet that sparked widespread debate in diplomatic circles, Guterres stated: “When leaders treat international law with contempt, cherry-picking which rules to apply and ignoring others, they undermine the global order and set a dangerous precedent.” The Secretary-General went further, addressing the issue of manipulating public opinion, adding: “When a few individuals can distort global narratives of events, influence elections, or dictate the direction of public debate, we are faced with inequality and corruption that affects institutions and our shared values.”.
General context: The conflict between pluralism and monism
These statements come against a backdrop of a highly complex international landscape, where the world is increasingly divided between two camps: the camp of “international multilateralism,” represented by the United Nations, which advocates collective cooperation to resolve crises, and the camp of “unipolarity” or isolationist nationalism, adopted by some major powers during this period. The annual Davos Forum is a traditional arena where these contradictions are highlighted, bringing together world leaders and business executives to discuss economic and geopolitical challenges.
While Trump was touting his country's economic achievements and emphasizing his "America First" principle in his speech, Guterres's warning served as a reminder that economic prosperity cannot be separated from political stability and respect for international agreements. The selective application of international law creates an environment of chaos, where powerful states feel they are above the law, thus undermining the credibility of international institutions.
Expected impacts and the importance of adhering to agreements
Guterres’ warning carries strategic dimensions that extend beyond the immediate moment; lax enforcement of international law opens the door to armed conflicts, human rights abuses, and the disregard for climate and environmental agreements. Furthermore, the reference to “the influence of a few individuals in elections” highlights the modern risks related to cybersecurity and disinformation campaigns that now threaten democracies worldwide.
The UN Secretary-General’s call is a warning cry to the international community to return to the principles upon which the post-World War II global order was founded, namely respect for sovereignty, adherence to treaties, and joint action to address cross-border challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and poverty, instead of drifting towards policies of power and individual hegemony.
