Expecting a frosty reception? Donald Trump arrives at Davos summit in Swiss Alps wearing SNOW grips before making keynote address
- President arrived at the gathering of the world’s political and business elite
- He sported what appeared to be a rubber cover over his usual black brogues
- After removing the covers, Trump addressed the delegates gathered in the hall
Donald Trump touched down in the Swiss Alps this morning hoping the Davos summit will be free of any slip ups – as he marched across the landing strip in a pair of snow grips.
The President arrived at the annual gathering of the world’s political and business elite sporting what appeared to be rubber covers over his usual black brogues.
When he descended the steps of Air Force One at Zurich International Airport, he was not wearing the covers, suggesting he had fitted them during his flight over the mountains in Marine One.
But although the President braced for the winter weather, he is also preparing to receive a frosty reception from certain delegates – including 17-year-old eco-activist Greta Thunberg who earlier made a veiled swipe at his climate scepticism .
The President arrived at the annual gathering of the world’s political and business elite sporting what appeared to be a rubber cover over his usual black brogues
Donald Trump arrived at the Swiss Alps Davos summit this morning ahead of his keynote address
When he descended the steps of Air Force One at Zurich International Airport, he was not wearing the covers, suggesting he had fitted them during his flight over the mountains in Marine One
After removing his snow grips, Trump swept into a packed auditorium where he made a keynote speech hailing the trade deals he has recently brokered with China and Mexico as a model for the 21st Century.
His address picked up on some of the themes voiced when he first addressed the WEF two years ago.
He said: ‘America’s thriving, America’s flourishing, and yes America is winning again like never before.
He talked of the ‘rather dismal state’ of the economy under the Obama administation, as he boasted of signing two great trade deals in one week. Trump called it a ‘blue collar boom,’ saying the wages of many of his voters have increased.
Casting a large shadow over the Trump’s attendance at the conference will be the impeachment trial thousands of miles away back in Washington, which got underway today.
After removing his snow grips, Trump swept into a packed auditorium where he made a keynote speech hailing the trade deals he has recently brokered with China and Mexico as a model for the 21st Century
Marine One touches down on the landing strip at Davos, which was blanketed with snow
As Tuesday’s programming kicked off, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab stated ‘the world is in a state of emergency and to not act is crazy.’
He pointed to the wildfires in Australia when talking of the climate change threat.
‘The world is on fire,’ is how Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga opened her remarks.
Thunberg was seen walking into the Congress Centre in advance of Trump’s remarks.
Trump skipped Davos last year due to the government shutdown, but will make the first major mainstage address after the opening remarks from Scwhab and Sommaruga.
His agenda has done the opposite of combating climate change. Early on, he pulled the US out of the Paris climate agreement, while he’s deregulated domestic oil and gas. In the past, he’s called climate change a Chinese ‘hoax,’ though he’s also touted to supporters that he’s an environmentalist because he cares about clean air and clean water.
The President marches across the snow-covered landing strip to the Davos conference hall
Marine One helicopter with US President Donald Trump on board arrives for the 50th World Economic Forum
Over the past few months, Trump has made Thunberg a target on Twitter.
Last month, Trump reacted to the teenager being named Time magazine’s 2019 ‘Person of the Year’ by mocking her serious demeanor.
Trump shared a congratulatory tweet about Thunberg’s win from actress Roma Downey.
‘So ridiculous,’ the president responded. ‘Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!’
Thunberg responded by briefly changing her Twitter bio to read: ‘A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend.’
Trump had also weighed in September after Thunberg made a passionate plea to world leaders during the United Nations General Assembly to do something about the warming earth.