Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY
P. 2
A2 UP FRONT
Wednesday 24 January 2018
Davos diplomacy scene not exactly a natural fit for Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — One ic adviser Gary Cohn says
question looms as President Trump will tell the crowd
Donald Trump packs his that "America is open for
bags for Switzerland: How business," highlighting the
will the Diet Coke-loving booming economy while
nationalist fit in with the stressing the need for "fair
Champagne-sipping glo- and reciprocal" trade prac-
balists he'll encounter at tices.
the World Economic Forum Trump decided to make
in Davos? the move after some en-
American presidents tend couragement from Vice
to shun the Davos diplo- President Mike Pence and
macy scene, a glitzy an- French President Emman-
nual gathering at a Swiss uel Macron, said a White
Alpine resort that for nearly House official, who wasn't
50 years has drawn politi- authorized to publicly dis-
cians, CEOs and celebri- cuss internal deliberations
ties to ponder public policy Armed Swiss police officers stand guard on the roof of a hotel near the congress center where and spoke on condition of
and global cooperation. the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum take place in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, anonymity.He's likely to get
Sitting presidents typical- Jan. 23, 2018. a different response than
ly pass on the event, as (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) Clinton did 18 years ago.
known for its flashy parties star attraction at this year's tionalism and railed against ed, Trump is packing up A champion of global
and celebrity sightings as its high-minded, invitation- international trade practic- much of his Cabinet and trade, Clinton urged world
policy powwows and inter- only summit. A real estate es, Trump doesn't seem like his "America First" message leaders to consider workers
national deal-making. executive turned reality TV a natural fit. But with a gov- and heading overseas. and poorer nations in his
Instead, Trump will be the star who has embraced na- ernment shutdown avert- "We'll be talking about in- 2000 address, saying, "Don't
vesting in the United States leave the little guys out." He
again," Trump said Tues- has frequented the meet-
day, as he signed new tar- ing ever since, receiving a
iffs that could draw criticism warm reception. His former
from the Davos crowd. vice president, Al Gore, an
The last sitting U.S. president environmental activist, is
to attend the summit was scheduled to attend this
Bill Clinton in 2000. Barack year. Top aides have typi-
Obama, George W. Bush cally attended even when
and George H.W. Bush all the president did not. Vice
opted out. Ronald Reagan President Joe Biden ap-
appeared via video link. peared on behalf of the
Just how Trump approach- Obama administration last
es the gathering is the sub- year, and Vice President
ject of feverish speculation Dick Cheney attended for
as attendees try to game George W. Bush.
out what Trump will say Politicians aren't the only
in his remarks and whom draw at Davos. In recent
he may meet with on the years, celebrity attendees
sidelines. Longtime attend- have become part of the
ees stressed that he might tableau, with Leonardo
not find the warmest re- DiCaprio, Matt Damon,
sponse among those who Goldie Hawn and Bono
favor global trade and among the superstar visi-
have been rattled by his tors. In 2006, Angelina Jo-
rise to power. "It's a bit of a lie and Brad Pitt attended
puzzle," said Nariman Beh- panel discussions trailed by
ravesh, chief economist of packs of photographers.
IHS Markit. "First of all, he's This year, Elton John and
going into a situation where Cate Blanchett already
the audience will not be have grabbed Davos
that friendly." Trump leaves headlines. Trump has not
Washington Wednesday attended before. Said
and will be in Switzerland Bremmer, "This is not Trump's
Thursday and Friday. He crowd." Even though Trump
plans to meet with British hasn't been there, his politi-
Prime Minister Theresa May, cal rise — driven by nation-
Israeli Prime Minister Benja- alist rhetoric — has domi-
min Netanyahu, Rwandan nated the conversation in
President Paul Kagame recent years. But he also
and Swiss President Alain acknowledged the con-
Berset. He will also attend a cerns about the incom-
reception in his honor, host ing president. Scaramucci
a dinner for European ex- joked, “This is my 10th year
ecutives and deliver a key- here, but it is my first year
note address. Top econom- here with a food taster.”q
