Trump cancels trip to Davos over government shutdown
Trump responds to questions from the media on Thursday
Keystone
US President Donald Trump has cancelled his planned trip to the annual general meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss resort of Davos amid the ongoing partial shutdown of the US government.
This content was published on
1 minute
Reuters/ts
العربية
ar
ترامب يُلغي مشاركته في دافوس بسبب أزمة الإغلاق الحكومي
Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEFExternal link!
It was unclear whether the partial government shutdown, now in its 20th day, would end before the start of the global economic meetingExternal link, which is scheduled for January 22-25, as Trump and congressional Democrats dug into a fight over funding for the government and Trump’s long-promised wall along the US-Mexico border.
Earlier in the day the president had told reporters: “I intended to go and speak in front of the world financial community in Davos. That’s still on. But if the shutdown continues … I won’t go. I had planned to go, it’s been very successful when I went. We have a great story to tell.”
The cancellation quashes any opportunity for Trump to meet other world leaders and discuss economic issues, including trade.
Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, who also holds the Swiss presidency this year, had been due to meet Trump in Davos and had hoped to to kick-start negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other Cabinet members are still scheduled to attend the annual event, which attracts business and political elite.
More
More
Young Socialists receive green light for anti-WEF demo
This content was published on
Davos officials have given the Swiss Young Socialists (Juso) the go-ahead to organise a public demonstration in Davos against the WEF annual meeting.
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
Swiss to reduce administrative burden on farms from 2026
This content was published on
From 2026, the number of inspections of farms is to be reduced, without any loss of quality, said economics minister Guy Parmelin.
Swiss insurance boss proposes Singapore-style healthcare system
This content was published on
CEO of Swiss health insurer Sanitas has said that healthcare costs could be reduced if Switzerland were to follow the Singapore model.
Swiss minister talks crime and security in visit to the Netherlands
This content was published on
Swiss justice minister Beat Jans spent two days in the Netherlands discussing security, police cooperation and justice with international bodies.
Study finds more heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland
This content was published on
Copper and zinc can be expected to accumulate in the soil, particularly if farmyard manure is used for several years and is greater than the amount of nutrients absorbed by the grass. This was announced by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on Friday. The findings are based on the results of the seventh National Soil Monitoring of Switzerland (Nabo).
Lilo Baur wins Swiss Grand Prix for performing arts
This content was published on
The Swiss actress and theatre director Lilo Baur has received this year's Swiss Grand Prix for Performing Arts, also known as the Hans Reinhart Ring.
Court rules al-Qaeda supporter can stay in Switzerland
This content was published on
A Kurdish supporter of the Islamist terrorist network al-Qaeda can stay in Switzerland, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled. It has withdrawn the annulment of the man’s provisional admission.
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has closed criminal proceedings relating to the Swiss owners affected by the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” emissions scandal.
This content was published on
The employment outlook in Switzerland will remain stable towards the end of 2024, according to the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich.
Swiss woman accuses Donald Trump of sexual assault
This content was published on
A former Miss Switzerland candidate has accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in New York in 1993. The US Republican candidate’s campaign team has denied the accusations.
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
Swiss-US free trade deal on WEF agenda
This content was published on
Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer, who holds this year’s rotating presidency, said DavosExternal link could be an ideal springboard to get fresh negotiations properly started. Maurer is due to meet US President Donald Trump at the summit which runs from January 22-25. “The meeting is confirmed,” he told television station Tele Züri on Sunday. “We…
Brazilian president chooses WEF for first overseas trip
This content was published on
The rightwing Bolsonaro will join US President Donald Trump and many other world leaders in Switzerland from January 21-25. The annual showpiece meeting attracts around 3,000 political and business heads plus leaders in the worlds of science, culture, civil society and religion. Bolsonaro made his announcement during his first television interview since taking office on…
This content was published on
United States President Donald Trump will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos next January.
This content was published on
Swiss newspapers have lambasted US President Donald Trump for siding with long-time enemy Russia over his own intelligence agencies.
After boycott threat, Russia will send top envoys to WEF
This content was published on
Russia will participate in the next World Economic Forum (WEF). Moscow had threatened to boycott the Davos meeting if its businessmen were excluded.
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.