The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Davos’ diplomacy scene not natural fit for Trump
Attendees trying to game out what president will say.
WASHINGTON — One question looms as President Donald Trump packs his bags for Switzerland: How will the Diet Coke-loving nationalist fit in with the Champagne-sipping globalists he’ll encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos?
American presidents tend to shun the Davos diplomacy scene, a glitzy annual gathering at a Swiss Alpine resort that for nearly 50 years has drawn politicians, CEOs and celebrities to ponder public policy and global cooperation.
Sitting presidents typically pass on the event, as known for its flashy parties and celebrity sightings as its policy powwows and international dealmaking.
Instead, Trump will be the star attraction at this year’s high-minded, invitation-only summit. A real estate executive turned reality TV star who has embraced nationalism and railed against international trade practices, Trump doesn’t seem like a natural fit. But with a government shutdown averted, Trump is packing up much of his Cabinet and his “America First” message and heading into town.
“We’ll be talking about investing in the United States again,” Trump said Tuesday, as he signed new tariffs that could draw criticism from the Davos crowd.
The last sitting U.S. president to attend the summit was Bill Clinton in 2000. Barack Obama, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush all opted out. Ronald Reagan appeared via video link.
Just how Trump approaches the gathering is the subject of feverish speculation as attendees try to game out what Trump will say in his remarks and who he may meet with on the sidelines. Longtime attendees stressed that he might not find the warmest response among those who favor global trade and have been rattled by his rise to power.
“It’s a bit of a puzzle,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist of IHS Markit. “First of all, he’s going into a situation where the audience will not be that friendly.”
An administration official said Trump is expected to highlight the booming U.S. economy and his recent tax overhaul while again criticizing trade practices he sees as unfair. The official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about internal plans and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Trump made
the decision to go because he thinks he has a positive economic message.
Trump decided to make the move after some encouragement from Vice President Mike Pence and French President Emmanuel Macron, said a White House official, who also wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.
He’s likely to get a different response than Clinton did 18 years ago.
A champion of global trade, Clinton urged world leaders to consider workers and poorer nations in his 2000 address, saying, “Don’t leave the little guys out.” He has frequented the meeting ever since, receiving a warm reception. His former vice president, Al Gore, an environmental activist, is scheduled to attend this year.
“Clinton is the only president that really was Davos Man,” said Ian Bremmer,
a foreign affairs columnist and president of the Eurasia Group, using the nickname for the summit’s globalization focused participants. “Obama doesn’t like contrasts like this. Bush was more folksy, homespun.”
Still, top aides have typically attended even when the president did not. Vice President Joe Biden appeared on behalf of the Obama administration last year, and Vice President Dick Cheney attended for George W. Bush.
And of course, politicians aren’t the only draw at Davos. In recent years, celebrity attendees have joined the tableau, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Goldie Hawn and Bono among the superstar visitors. In 2006, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt attended panel discussions trailed by packs of photographers.
This year, Elton John and Cate Blanchett already have grabbed Davos headlines.