The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mixed welcome awaits Trump at Davos gathering
Decision-makers meeting at World Economic Forum.
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — In Davos this week, participants can experience “a day in the life of a refugee.” Or hear about ways to uphold the Paris climate accord and promote free trade. Or rub elbows with any number of leaders of African countries. Enter Donald Trump. The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is meant — pretentiously perhaps — to be a place for the today and the president will world’s decision-makers to go later in the week. put their power to good use. While Trump’s visit may The theme this year is “Creat- seem incongruous or unweling a Shared Future in Frac- come in Davos, he will be tured World,” an ambition sticking to one key aspect of not likely to turn up on the the WEF’s ambition in startU.S. president’s Twitter feed. ing the annual forum 47 years
Instead, Trump will bring ago: Business. An array of his zero-sum message of Cabinet officials is due to tag “America First,” and will along, suggesting the U.S. is speak last among the parade preparing a big economic of world leaders — from places and diplomatic push. like India, France and CanSome have suggested it’s ada — who are gathering from ironic that Trump, a selftoday to Friday in the Swiss styled populist despite his snows. penchant for the penthouse,
As with most things Trump, is attending the elite event. there are stark contrasts Others speculated he could between how attendees view have felt a need to regain the his visit. Some are happy and Davos spotlight for the United hope for dialogue. Others States a year after Chinese unabashedly say they wish he President Xi Jinping stole would stay away and accuse the show by casting China him of a lack of compassion as a champion of free trade and vision for the world that and stability. are out of place in Davos. An administration official
“I find it quite sad he’s comsaid Trump is expected to ing to the WEF, but I imagine tout the booming U.S. econ- nothing can be done about omy and measures like his it,” said Buddhist monk Matrecent tax overhaul, while thieu Ricard, a longtime disagain criticizing trade pracciple of the Dalai Lama. tices that he sees as unfair
The U.S. government shuttoward the U.S. The official, down cast some doubt on who spoke only on condition whether Trump might actu- of anonymity to discuss interally make the trip later in the nal plans, said Trump made week, but with Monday’s the decision to go because he agreement on a budget deal, thinks he has a positive eco- the U.S. delegation will travel nomic message.
With Wall Street surging, Trump has some cheerleaders on the economic front, even if they hope he’ll be more accommodating.
“I think it’s really good that he’s going,” said Bill Thomas, chairman of business services KPMG International. “The American economy is dependent on global engagement, and I think he’s in Davos because he knows that.”
Some wonder whether Trump can win over the Davos set, or whether they might succeed in turning his ear — and give him a chance to reboot his administration’s image abroad.
“Corporate America, in terms of economic policies, is very pleased with the way the administration is going,” said Andy Baldwin, a managing partner for financial services firm EY. But he acknowledged that Trump controversies elsewhere had “overshadowed some of the policies.” The hosts were also upbeat. “It’s good to have the president here, if the snow conditions and the situation in Washington allow us,” WEF founder Klaus Schwab said in an interview Monday, alluding to the government shutdown.