Davos relishes the Trump spotlight as WEF nears
The Swiss Alpine town of Davos is used to celebrities and high-rollers, but even it is relishing new attention being heaped on it with US President Donald Trump’s decision to attend the World Economic Forum this month — the first by a sitting US president since Bill Clinton came in 2000. Trump’s policies, including his intention to exit the 2015 Paris climate accord and his “America First” tendencies, may not sit well with all of Switzerland, which backs the global climate pact and whose economy relies on global trade. This has prompted some critics to suggest Trump’s polarising persona could resurrect violent antiWEF protests from the early 2000s. An online petition is circulating telling Trump he is not welcome.
Still, the tenor in Davos this week was upbeat, with many confident a robust security contingent — up to 5 000 soldiers if necessary alongside about 1 000 police — can handle any furore.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Ernst Wyrsch, who was director of the hotel where Clinton stayed during his WEF visit and now heads the region’s hotel association. “Davos, for at least a couple of days, will be at the centre of the world.”
While dignitaries come each year — British Prime Minister Theresa May and Chinese President Xi Jinping made the trek to the town last year — they lack the media power of a US president that puts the spotlight on a community that relies on tourism.
“I guess there’s no such thing as bad publicity,” said Linard Kinschi, a resident who was heading out to the town’s cross-country ski trails 1 560m above sea level.
Although US officials are already in Switzerland preparing for Trump’s arrival, details of his trip, including whether he will even spend the night during the January 23-26 event, were under wraps.
Trump, expected to be accompanied by treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and possibly sonin-law Jared Kushner, may rush in for a day, give a speech and then depart.
There is something of a contradiction in all this. The WEF is a haven for supporters of globalisation who espouse the very free trade pacts that Trump has blasted as unfair to the US.
Heinz Brand, who represents Davos in the Swiss parliament, hopes Trump arrives in the mood for discussion, not a fight. “Even people who were sworn enemies have met in Davos and left on more favourable terms,” Brand said.
The Swiss army has begun erecting checkpoints on roads leading into town. Last year, 4 300 Swiss soldiers were deployed, with the airspace open only to aircraft ferrying participants to the forum. Grisons cantonal police, who co-ordinate WEF security measures and are liaising with US officials, say they are ready.
There are some changes. For decades, helicopters carrying visitors have landed in the meadow of Hans Stiffler, a lifelong Davoser who runs an inn. This year, the landing pad has been moved across the valley, where there is more room. Without choppers at the doorstep this year, it will be a bit quieter, and Stiffler will not have to bring his security badge with him every time he leaves home.
But he may also not be able to add to his trove of WEF memorabilia which includes letters of appreciation from Clinton, photos of former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, and an intimate shot of then Brazilian president Lula da Silva meeting Israel’s Shimon Peres in Stiffler’s hotel for five minutes before each was helicoptered away. — Reuters