President Trump on Tuesday touted the US economic success as “nothing short of spectacular,” saying the “American dream” is back during his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Trump reminded the world leaders that when he spoke at the event two years ago, early in his presidency, “I told you that we had launched the great American comeback.”
“Today I’m proud to declare the United States is in the midst of an economic boom, the likes of which the world has never seen before,” the president said.
Ten million people have been lifted off the welfare rolls during his three years in office, he said, adding that “this is a blue-collar boom.”
“In the US, we are building an economy that works for everyone,” he said just hours before his historic impeachment trial was to reconvene in the Senate.
“America’s newfound prosperity is undeniable, unprecedented and unmatched anywhere in the world,” Trump continued. “America achieved this stunning turnaround not by making minor changes to a handful of policies, but by adopting a whole new approach centered entirely on the wellbeing of the American worker.”
He added: “Every decision we make on taxes, trade, regulation, energy, immigration, education and more is focused on improving the lives of everyday Americans.
“Only when governments put their own citizens first will people be fully invested in their national futures,” he said.
The president extolled his “American First” policy in which he pursued bilateral trade renegotiations with economic allies the European Union, Canada, Mexico and China.
“Today I urge other nations to follow our example and liberate your citizens from the crushing weight of bureaucracy,” Trump said. “With that, you have to run your own countries the way you want.”
Trump’s participation in the annual gathering of political and business elites will provide a glaring split-screen moment in a presidency familiar with them.
The two-day Swiss visit will test the president’s ability to balance his anger over being impeached with a desire to project leadership on the world stage.
After landing in Davos, he called the looming impeachment trial a long-running “hoax,” according to NBC News.
“It’s been going on for years,” he said. “Look forward to being here, meeting with biggest companies in the world, for the benefit of the United States.”
Speculation had swirled that Trump might cancel the trip due to the Senate trial, but aides said he remains focused on producing results for the American people.
“It’s an opportunity to speak about the recent trade deals he’s made, as well as our booming economy,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said earlier.
The forum is “also a good chance to speak with world leaders on a variety of other topics. He’s the president of the United States, his work doesn’t stop because of the silliness going on in DC,” she added.
Climate issues were to be a main theme at the event and “Act on Climate” was written in the snow at the area where Trump’s Marine One chopper landed.
Trump, however, said he was attending the forum to encourage businesses to invest in the US.
“America is thriving. America is flourishing and yes, America is winning again like never before,” Trump said before talking about a newly signed trade deal with China and a pending trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.
He also spoke of record low unemployment, stock market gains and millions removed from unemployment.
Trump planned to meet with world leaders and business executives after the speech before jetting back to Washington on Wednesday, when arguments by Democrats in the Senate will begin at 1 p.m. ET.
The Democrat-controlled House impeached Trump last month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress after it was revealed that he had pressed Ukraine’s president to announce probes into former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat and a Trump political rival.
Trump withheld almost $400 million in foreign aid that Congress had approved for Ukraine, but he has denied any wrongdoing and said he was just trying to root out corruption in the country.
He argues that Democrats want to remove him from office because they know they can’t deny him re-election in November.
With Post wires