US President Donald Trump is set to “advance his America First agenda” at the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Tuesday announcement by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders came as something of a surprise as the annual gathering in the resort town has been a signature event for critics of globalism.
“The President welcomes opportunities to advance his America First agenda with world leaders," said Sanders (pictured above) in a statement. "At this year’s World Economic Forum, the President looks forward to promoting his policies to strengthen American businesses, American industries, and American workers.”
The gathering in the Swiss Alps is set to be held at the end of January with chief executives and world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance.
“Davos really is the global swamp, and I can’t think of a person more out of place at the World Economic Forum than President Trump,” Jack Ablin, the chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank, was cited by Politico as saying. “I guess you have to give Davos credit for wanting to listen to different points of view, but I think Trump will be hard-pressed to add anything really valuable to the mix.”
Earlier in the day, the French president said he would give a speech at the next World Economic Forum on January 24.
Former President Barack Obama always skipped the gathering, in which figures like Angelia Jolie, Bono, and Sharon Stone have taken part.
In his final year in office, Obama sent six of his cabinet secretaries and then-Vice President Joe Biden to Davos.