The world leaders and billionaires gathering in Davos may not all agree with Trump, but the event is taking pains to make him feel valued, even throwing a party in his honor.
Trump belatedly announced his decision to attend the annual gathering, sending White House staff scrambling to line up accommodations for the retinue of people who follow the president wherever he goes.
The World Economic Forum, which holds the event in the Swiss Alps, is hosting a reception with world leaders ‘to honor the president,’ Trump’s chief economic advisor Gary Cohn told reporters in advance of the trip.
The WEF also granted Trump the honor of delivering the ‘keynote address,’ capping off the event on Friday.
President Donald Trump will be the ‘keynote speaker’ at an event that brings together billionaires and foreign leaders
Some European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, were speaking on Wednesday in order to shape the debate and send signals in advance of Trump’s visit.
Trump also was to have a special meeting with Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum. He also holds bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Swiss President Berset, and President Kagame of Rwanda.
The red carpet Trump treatment comes despite numerous strains between other nations and the U.S. on global warming, trade, and even defense issues.
Trump during the campaign warned: ‘We will no longer surrender this country or its people to the false song of globalism.’
Last year, Chinese president Xi Jinping was designated the keynote speaker. Vice President Joe Biden also attended.
World Economic Forum (WEF) Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab will meet privately with Trump
German chancellor Angela Merkel looks on after addressing the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) on January 24, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Germany is a powerhouse economy on Switzerland’s doorstep
French President Emmanuel Macron Receives German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Elysee Palace on January 19, 2018 in Paris, France
The World Economic Forum is also holding a reception in Trump’s honor
According to Cohn, ‘President Trump will reiterate that a prosperous America benefits the world. When the United States grows, so does the world. The President will continue to promote fair economic competition, and will make it clear that there cannot be free and open trade if countries are not held accountable to the rules.’
He added: ‘As the President has said repeatedly, America and his administration supports free and open trade, but it needs to be fair and reciprocal.’
Trump also will do his part to butter up European corporate CEOs at a dinner meant to urge them to invest in the U.S.
According to Cohn, ‘The president will host a small dinner with select European companies to share our economic success story and to encourage them to continue to invest in America. The attendees run companies that have sizable footprints in the United States. They have invested in our economy, and we want them to continue to do so and encourage others to join them.’