Davos 2026: EU Commissioner emphasises trust and legal certainty at WEF

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, has underscored the central role of trust, legal certainty and predictable rules in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness during the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos.

Speaking against the backdrop of rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and economic pressure, Commissioner McGrath said discussions at this year’s forum, held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” were pragmatic and forward-looking, with a focus on rebuilding trust, addressing shared challenges and fostering constructive engagement among global stakeholders.

He noted that a more resilient, secure and competitive Europe is emerging, with trust at the core of that ambition. According to the Commissioner, businesses are more likely to invest, innovate and scale where there is confidence in the legal and regulatory framework. In this context, he highlighted the forthcoming “EU Inc.” initiative, also referred to as the 28th regime, which he is leading and which is expected to be presented in March. The proposal aims to simplify cross-border operations, reduce fragmentation within the Single Market and make Europe more attractive to global investment, while reinforcing fairness and legal certainty.

During his engagements in Davos, Commissioner McGrath met with a wide range of global companies and leaders across the digital, technology and financial sectors. These included discussions with representatives from Microsoft, Pinterest, OpenAI, Zoom, Uber, Meta, Stripe, LinkedIn, PayPal and Cisco. He also participated in a dedicated roundtable with business leaders focused on how Europe can create an environment that allows innovation to move more easily across borders and investment to scale within the Single Market.

In addition, the Commissioner contributed to a discussion on the interaction between media, entertainment and sport, where he emphasized that trust is a fundamental prerequisite for meaningful stakeholder engagement. He also gave interviews to several international media outlets, including RTÉ, The Irish Times and Fox Business Network.

Reflecting on the forum, Commissioner McGrath said Davos once again proved to be a valuable platform for exchange, with a clear message emerging that Europe’s strength lies in competitiveness driven by innovation, underpinned by trust, reliability and fairness.