Trump heads to economic forum
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump is ready to play salesman as he heads to an economic summit in the Swiss Alps, making the case that his “America First” agenda can go handin-hand with global cooperation.
Trump is set to arrive at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, today to declare that the United States is open for business. But the protectionist-leaning president’s attendance at an annual gathering for freetrade-loving political and business elites has raised eyebrows. And 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 United States,” Trump said Wednesday before his overnight flight to Europe.
In a tweet sent before departing the White House Trump said, “Our economy is now booming and with all I am doing, will only get better...Our country is finally WINNING again!”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin got to Davos ahead of Trump and insisted Wednesday that the United States supports free trade.
“‘America First’ does mean working with the rest of the world,” said Mnuchin, who is leading the largest U.S. 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.”