Trump set to promote 'America First' to global elite in Davos
The US President is expected to pitch America as the place to do business when he addresses the World Economic Forum.
Friday 26 January 2018 16:02, UK
Donald Trump will talk about America's place in the world when he addresses the World Economic Forum in Davos, and say that "American is open for business again".
The President will say the integrity of the world trading system needs to be protected by strict adherence to international laws.
He will single out a series of problems that he sees in global commerce, such as the theft of intellectual property, state subsidies for industry and the process of warping markets by "dumping" products.
Mr Trump will say there is "no better time" to invest in the United States, according to one senior official from his administration.
He is expected to say that his policies have "unleashed economic growth" and created an environment that is more friendly to business.
The President will point, in particular, to his regulatory changes and also to his reform of the tax system as catalysts for economic development.
He will give the closing speech at the forum in Davos, which has already heard addresses from the likes of Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel, Narendra Modi and many other world leaders.
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Many have spoken about the need for a rethink of capitalism, while others, notably Mrs Merkel, have made it clear that they oppose the concept of protectionism.
Mr Trump's Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, said in Davos that he considered the US to be less protectionist than any other country in the world.
The President is expected to say that "only by enforcing the rules of international trade can we maintain the integrity of the international trade system."
At the start of this week, he imposed new trade tariffs, including surcharges on solar panels and washing machines.
A number of African attendees have threatened to either boycott the speech, or else to even stage a walk-out while Mr Trump is speaking, after allegations that he referred to some nations as "s***hole countries".
He made a point of arranging a meeting with the President of Rwanda prior to his speech, an action that many have seen as an attempt to recognise the anger his words caused.