Trump arrives in globalist Davos with his 'America First' message

Trump arrives at Davos
(Image credit: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump arrived in Switzerland on Thursday for two days at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump is expected to meet with world leaders, host a dinner for European business leaders, mingle with the elites at a reception, and give a keynote speech Friday. Trump is only the second sitting U.S. president to attend the Davos forum, after Bill Clinton in 2000, and his protectionist and nativist policies and dismissal of climate change put him at odds with most attendees. White House officials say Trump will argue that his "America First" message doesn't preclude trade and cooperation, and tell companies that America is "open for business."

Among the world leaders Trump is scheduled to meet on Friday is Rwandan President Paul Kagame, chairman of the African Union. Many African leaders were upset by credible reports that Trump called African nations "shithole countries," and Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, is urging his fellow Davos attendees to quietly walk out of Trump's speech to protest the comments. Several attendees tell Quartz that the walk-out movement is gaining steam.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.