European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde left an invitation-only dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick delivered combative comments criticizing Europe, according to people familiar with the dinner and sources cited by multiple outlets. The dinner was hosted by BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and the exchange escalated into an uproar, including heckling directed at Lutnick, the reports said. The episode highlights fresh strain in transatlantic economic relations at a time when business leaders and policymakers are using Davos to pressure-test trade and investment priorities for 2026.

Highlights:

• Host and setting: The dinner was described as invitation-only and hosted by BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink, placing central bankers and senior US officials in the same room during Davos’ private side-events.
• Dinner dynamics: Reports said Lutnick was heckled as the atmosphere became heated, underscoring how quickly closed-door business diplomacy can become a public signal to markets and executives.
• Source framing: Bloomberg characterized Lagarde’s departure as abrupt and attributed details to people familiar with the matter, reflecting how much of the incident’s detail is coming via participants rather than formal statements.
• Broader message: A separate Reuters-linked headline indicated sources said Lutnick’s remarks were critical of Europe, suggesting the content was perceived as a direct challenge to European economic policy choices.

Perspectives:

• European Central Bank (Christine Lagarde): Lagarde left the dinner during Lutnick’s remarks, a move portrayed by attendees as a response to the tone and content of the criticism of Europe. (Bloomberg)
• US Commerce Department (Howard Lutnick): Lutnick delivered combative remarks that criticized Europe, according to accounts of the dinner and source descriptions of the speech’s thrust. (Financial Times)
• Global asset management (Larry Fink/BlackRock): Fink hosted the sit-down dinner where the exchange unfolded, illustrating how large financial institutions convene policymakers and business leaders in Davos to facilitate dialogue—even when it turns tense. (Financial Times)

Sources:

• ECB’s Lagarde Left Davos Dinner After Lutnick Slammed Europe - Bloomberg.com - google.com
• ECB’s Lagarde Left Davos Dinner After Lutnick Slammed Europe - bloomberg.com
• Lutnick heckled at Davos dinner as Lagarde walks out - ft.com