Trump to play salesman at economic summit
DAVOS: Armed with his “America First” philosophy, President Donald Trump arrived in Switzerland on Thursday to tout his economic agenda and lure foreign investment at a global summit that stresses free trade and international cooperation.
Trump arrived in Zurich ahead of schedule and immediately boarded a US helicopter for the flight to Davos. The approximately 40-minute trip took Trump over a snowy countryside dotted with houses, frosted mountains and a glistening lake. As Trump got off the helicopter in Davos, he gestured to aides who held him by the arms as he walked across the snowy landing zone to his waiting car.
“We’re very happy to be here,” Trump said as he arrived at the World Economic Forum. “The US is doing very well, and will continue to do well and this will be a very exciting two days.”
He said he was bringing a message of “peace and prosperity” to the gathering of world leaders, business executives and celebrities.
While the president is expected to declare that the US is open for business, the protectionist-leaning president’s attendance at the annual gathering for free-trade-loving political and business elites has raised eyebrows. His decision to sign new tariffs boosting American manufacturers this week has prompted fresh concerns about his nationalist tendencies.
“I’m going to Davos right now to get people to invest in the US,” Trump said before the overnight flight to Europe. “I’m going to say: ‘Come into the United States. You have plenty of money.’ But I don’t think I have to go, because they’re coming, they’re coming at a very fast clip.”
In a tweet sent before departing the White House Trump said, “Our country is finally winning again!“
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin got to Davos ahead of Trump and insisted that the US supports free trade.
“America First” does mean working with the rest of the world,” said Mnuchin, who is leading the largest US delegation ever to attend the exclusive gathering. “It just means that President Trump is looking out for American workers and American interests, no different than he expects other leaders would look out for their own.”
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross argued that new US tariffs on imported solar-energy components and large washing machines are meant to deal with “inappropriate behavior” by other countries and are not protectionist. Still, Ross conceded that China could respond by imposing its own tariffs on US products.
As he signed the tariffs, Trump said he was heading to Davos to talk “about investing in the US again.”
The president is set to address the forum Friday. He is expected to showcase the booming US economy and measures like his recent tax overhaul, claiming that a thriving America benefits the world. A vocal critic of trade deals he sees as unfair to the US, Trump will also stress the need for what he sees as fair competition.
The invitation-only event focused on global cooperation and free trade seems like an unnatural fit for Trump, who rode a wave of nationalistic angst to the White House. But Mnuchin dismissed any concerns that the president may get a cool reception.
“We don’t have to worry about this crowd,” he said.
During his two-day stop, the president will attend a reception in his honor, host European executives for dinner and meet with world leaders. He began his visit with a sit-down with British Prime Minister Theresa May.