Trump vaunts economic achievements at World Economic Forum
US President Donald Trump has vaunted his economic achievements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he has presided over an “undeniable, unprecedented and unmatched” turnaround in the US economy.
Trump, who is facing an impeachment trial back at home, used his address to talk mainly about the economy and trade with China. In a nod to environmental concerns, he said the US would join a “one trillion trees” initiative being launched in Davos and provide “strong leadership in better managing our trees and forests”. But he also warned against the “perennial prophets of doom”, saying “we will continue to embrace technology, not shun it”.
“It seems to escape the President that no money can be made on a dead planet – there can be no jobs, no economic growth,” said Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan in response to Trump’s speech in Davos. “The habit of giving priority to GDP over the well-being of citizens has got to stop.”
Opening the forum earlier in the day, Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga urged people not to put the economy ahead of the environment. “The world is on fire,” she told the delegates, in reference to recent wildfires in Australia and the Amazon. “We cannot just stand by and watch.”
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, also in Davos, told a panel session that the mass mobilisation of young people around the world had put climate change at the top of the agenda, but at the same time “pretty much nothing has been done” in terms of tackling it.
“The science and voice of young people is not the centre of the conversation, but it needs to be,” said Thunberg
Trump’s agenda
Landing at Zurich Airport shortly before 8:30am, Trump immediately boarded a helicopter and flew to Davos. The chopper taking his delegation landed a little before 10am in Davos, in the eastern canton of Graubünden.
A meeting with Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga is scheduled for the afternoon. The US president is expected to stay in Switzerland until Wednesday. Talks are planned with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Iraqi President Barham Salih.
However, no meetings will be held with Iranian officials, as they have decided not to come to Davos. Relations between Iran and the United States are strained following the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq by US forces.
In a tweet broadcast shortly before his arrival in Switzerland, Trump said he was going to Davos to bring back billions of dollars to the US.
External Content
Heading to Davos, Switzerland, to meet with World and Business Leaders and bring Good Policy and additional Hundreds of Billions of Dollars back to the United States of America! We are now NUMBER ONE in the Universe, by FAR!!
How Zurich Airport prepares for Trump visit to Davos
This content was published on
Newspaper: American secret service agents granted access to Zurich Airport’s control tower as they prepare for US President Trump’s visit to WEF.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
At 50, WEF sets out to prove there’s a better kind of capitalism
This content was published on
Half a century after the first elite gathering in Davos, the WEF seeks to show that the invite-only event can go beyond nice taglines.
This content was published on
Many eyes will be on big names like Donald and Greta, but some of the most interesting speakers in Davos may well be the ones you’ve never heard of.
This content was published on
As a symbol of global capitalism, WEF has always attracted fervent opposition, and for its 50th bash, the trend continues.
Davos 2020: What to watch for at this year’s World Economic Forum
This content was published on
World leaders, chief executives, thinkers and celebrities are gathering in the Swiss mountain town of Davos for the World Economic Forum.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.