Trump to deliver polarising ‘America First’ speech on final day of Davos

For the first time in 18 years, the US president will address the World Economic Forum today.

The event is attended by many of the global business, finance and political leaders that Trump criticised throughout his election campaign for exploiting America, so the president’s address could be met with a frosty reception.

With the US economy sailing relatively smoothly, Trump is expected to exalt in his protectionist “America First” economic strategy—a policy at odds with the globalisation, free trade and liberal values traditionally embraced at Davos. Despite the contrast, Trump will likely encourage greater investment in American businesses by emphasising his country’s recent corporate tax cuts and plans to slash business regulations.

As many world leaders have already presented a united front in rallying against protectionism, the president’s address could further isolate America’s economic strategy from the rest of the world. That is unlikely to bother the president, however, as his targeted audience of corporate chiefs could find America’s strong economy and pro-business regulatory environment irresistible.

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