The "American dream" is back US President Donald Trump as he touted US economic success during his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, SwitzerlandTen million people have been lifted off of welfare is three years, he said, adding that "this is a blue collar boom." The "US is the strongest economic power" in the world, Trump said. The US standard of living is the highest in the world, explained Trump, adding that a nation's highest duty is to its own citizens. "In the US we are building an economy that works for everyone," Trump said.
With regard to China, Trump said that most of the tariffs would remain in place during the second phase of negotiations, he said.The loss of jobs to other countries as the primary reason he ran for president, Trump said.The US will join the one trillion trees initiative put forward at Davos, said Trump. This is not a time for pessimism, it's a time for optimism. To embrace tomorrow, one must reject apocalypse of doom, Trump said."We must boldly seize the day and embrace the moment," Trump said. "We will draw strength from the glories of the past, we will make greatness our common mission for the future," he said. "We will forever be loyal to our workers, our citizens and our families. Let us bring light to their lives one by one and empower them to light up the world," Trump said.He kept his speech tightly focused on economics and did not address any of the global issues the US is engaged is, including Iran, Syria, Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The president's speech comes in advance of a visit to Israel by US Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s special advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner and his special envoy to the Middle East Avi Berkowitz.
While attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Trump will meet with world leaders including Iraqi President Barham Salih, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Swiss Confederation President Simonetta Sommaruga and Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Regional government.Reuters previously reported as well that Trump also intends to meet with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.He also intends to meet with Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum founder.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had initially been scheduled to attend Davos, but pulled out citing last minute scheduling changes at the World Economic Forum.