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Trump in Davos: ‘America First’ Does Not Mean ‘America Alone’
United States President Donald Trump repeated his ‘America First’ message in a speech Friday to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
But he said although his policies seek to put America first, this “does not mean America alone.”
“When the United States grows, so does the world,” Trump said. He added that U.S. economic growth, creativity and innovation has led to the creation of “countless jobs around the globe.”
The World Economic Forum is a not-for-profit organization established in 1971. The yearly meeting is attended by world political and business leaders, including many heads of state.
Trump’s comments about his ‘America First’ policies were expected at the gathering. But some experts were unsure how the theme would be received: the Davos meeting traditionally centers on global economic growth.
IMF Director Christine Lagarde listens as President Donald Trump delivers a speech to the World Economic Forum, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in Davos. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump said the U.S. economy had improved during his first year in office. He pointed to the creation of 2.4 million jobs, dropping unemployment rates and record highs in the stock market. This growth, Trump said, had created a great chance for global investment in America.
“I'm here to deliver a simple message: There has never been a better time to hire, to build, to invest and to grow in the United States. America is open for business and we are competitive once again.”
However, Trump said he believes the current international trading system is unfair. He said it does not reward nations that “play by the rules.”
“We cannot have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others. We support free trade, but it needs to be fair, and it needs to be reciprocal. Because in the end, unfair trade undermines us all.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, center, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, left and White House Communications Director Hope Hicks, right, listen as President Donald Trump delivers a speech to the World Economic Forum, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in Davos.
Trump also spoke about the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement. The U.S. president said he is willing to negotiate trade deals individually or as a group with nations in that agreement.
Last year, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes 11 Pacific area nations. Trump said the U.S. already has agreements with several member nations. He added that the U.S. would consider negotiating with others, as long as “it is in all of our interests.”
Before his trip to Davos, Trump signed an executive order that placed import taxes on washing machines and solar panels. The order calls for a 30 percent tax on imported solar panels.
President Donald Trump holds up one of the Section 201 actions that he signed during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. Trump says he is imposing new tariffs to "protect American jobs
A 20 percent tax will be placed on the first 1.2 million imported washers in the first year. A 50 percent tax will be placed on additional imported washers.
China and South Korea quickly condemned the action. U.S. solar industry officials also criticized the move. They predicted the new import taxes would lead to thousands of job losses and price increases.
While at the Davos meeting, Trump also held talks with the leaders of Britain, Israel, Switzerland and Rwanda.
I’m Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Mario Ritter was the editor.
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Words in This Story
theme – n. the main subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly
hire – v. begin to employ someone
exploit – v. to use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly; to abuse someone
reciprocal – adj. used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other
undermine – v. make someone weaker or less confident
solar panel – n. a large, flat piece of equipment that uses light from the sun to create electricity