Insiders said that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde left the dinner on Tuesday evening at Davos, which was attended only by invitees, during a speech by U.S. Commerce Secretary Jay Luetkemeyer. This move was seen by some attendees as a symbol of the worsening transatlantic relations. The dinner took place as the United States intensified pressure on its NATO ally Denmark to gain access to Greenland. Luetkemeyer, the closing speaker, criticized Europe's energy policy and the decline in Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. According to those present, his remarks triggered a divided reaction in the hall, with some clapping and others booing. Several attendees believed that some of Luetkemeyer's statements were directed at Lagarde and other European officials who publicly defended the EU's unity and financial strength during the World Economic Forum. Amid the ongoing criticism of Europe, Lagarde left the table. A spokesperson for the European Central Bank later said "no further comments." The U.S. Department of Commerce denied that anyone "left in a hurry" and said only one person made a booing sound, which was former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Gore responded by saying he listened to the entire speech without interrupting it, but expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. government's energy policy at the end. Another attendee said that Lagarde's departure might have been due to both discontent with the remarks and fatigue from an intensive schedule.
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