ECB’s Lagarde Left Davos Dinner After Lutnick Slammed Europe (3)

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde abruptly walked out of an invitation-only sit-down dinner in Davos after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick started laying into Europe, according to people familiar with the matter.

The VIP event on Tuesday evening was attended by more than 100 people and featured Lutnick as the final speaker, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing private matters.

Lutnick’s speech to the dinner guests belittled European economies and their lack of competitiveness compared to the US’s prowess. It made several Europeans in the room uncomfortable and as the criticism escalated, Lagarde was seen exiting, ...