African backlash likely at Davos forum
SWITZERLAND: President Donald Trump arrived in Davos on Marine One yesterday at the head of an entourage believed to be the biggest since Bill Clinton visited in 2000.
He had earlier flown to Zurich on Air Force One, joining eight members of his cabinet and numerous White House staff before the 40-minute transfer to the Swiss resort.
‘‘We’re very happy to be here,’’ he said after touching down. ‘‘The United States is doing very well, and will continue to do well and this will be a very exciting two days.’’
Trump will deliver the closing address at the World Economic Forum and is expected to emphasise his America First agenda.
Although many guests welcomed his arrival, several African leaders and executives are expected to boycott the speech or walk out over his alleged description of some of their countries as ‘‘s***holes’’.
Bonang Mohale, chief executive of Business Leadership Africa, used an open letter to Trump to urge delegates to turn their backs
"The overt racism of these statements is self-evident and a stain on an office as august as yours . . . many of us will be boycotting your address to delegates at Davos in protest against your divisive comments and continued failure to unequivocally apologise."
Bonang Mohale, chief executive of Business Leadership Africa
on him.
‘‘The overt racism of these statements is self-evident and a stain on an office as august as yours,’’ he wrote. ‘‘Many of us will be boycotting your address to delegates at Davos in protest against your divisive comments and continued failure to unequivocally apologise. We encourage like-minded peers to do the same.’’
Trump is expected to meet Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda, in his role as incoming chairman of the African Union.
However, many business leaders are likely to miss the speech, having left early. Although some went to avoid the expected traffic problems and security clampdown attending the presidential visit, others do not want to be seen lending support to Trump’s policies.
Among the senior figures about to attend are Brian Moynihan, chief executive of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Mary Erdoes, the chief executive of JP Morgan Asset Management. Lloyd Blankfein, the Goldman Sachs boss, is unlikely to be there because of commitments to see clients and is expected to leave Davos. Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan’s chief executive, is also said to have made other plans.
One senior banker said he expected Trump to be ‘‘cantankerous’’ in an appeal to supporters at home and in preparation for a State of the Union address next week that could emphasise his domestic agenda of growth and protection of US jobs.
There is a view in Davos that Trump’s team wants as good a turnout for his speech as Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, received for his earlier in the week. For each man it is the first visit by his nation’s head of state in nearly 20 years and their speeches are book-ending the start and finish of the forum.