Trump Promotes Achievements at Davos... Diverting Attention from Impeachment Crisis?

Keynote Speech Scheduled for the 21st

Bilateral Meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU, Also Planned

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] U.S. President Donald Trump is departing for Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF, Davos Forum). This comes at a time when impeachment proceedings over the 'Ukraine scandal' are underway ahead of his re-election, drawing attention to what statements he will make to shift focus from internal crises to external matters.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 20th (local time), President Trump will attend the Davos Forum, which runs for four days starting on the 21st, for two days from the 21st to the 22nd. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will accompany him.

President Trump, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote speech on the first day of the event, the 21st, is expected to focus on highlighting his achievements to offset the ongoing impeachment trial amid the upcoming presidential election. U.S. media have reported that Trump will mention the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and the U.S. economic boom, promoting the effectiveness of his approach. Previously, in 2018, Trump delivered a speech on 'America First.' He did not attend last year due to the federal government shutdown.

At Davos, President Trump is also scheduled to meet with key figures. According to a list released by the White House, he will meet with the President of Iraq, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the President of Switzerland, and the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Additionally, bilateral meetings are planned with Klaus Schwab, founder of the Davos Forum, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

The meeting with EU Commission President von der Leyen is particularly crucial. Since Trump's inauguration, the U.S. and the EU have frequently clashed over issues such as trade and security, making this meeting a focal point for what messages will be exchanged. Issues to be resolved between the U.S. and the EU include the digital tax, NATO defense spending, and the recent Iran nuclear deal. Recently, the U.S. threatened to impose a 25% tariff on European cars if Germany, France, and the UK do not initiate dispute procedures regarding the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

Climate change is expected to be a major agenda item at this year's Davos Forum, making the meeting with 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg a highlight. President Trump, a climate change skeptic, withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement in June 2017. Coincidentally, both are scheduled to deliver speeches on the first day of the event, the 21st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.