Donald Trump in Davos: America first does not mean America alone

Davos: Declaring that America is open for business under his leadership, Donald Trump told a wary gathering of political and business elites on Friday that the economic growth taking place in the US under to his “America first” agenda also benefits the rest of the world.

Mr Trump told the WEF in Davos, an incongruous location for a nationalist president, that American prosperity has created countless jobs around the world, but stressed that his priority would always remain on protecting interests within his nation’s  borders.

“As president of the US, I will always put America first just as the leaders of other countries should put their countries first,” said Mr Trump.

But the President tried to strike a balance, tempering his nationalist agenda with reassurances to the globalist and cooperation-minded audience that his protectionist vision “does not mean America alone.”

“When the US grows, so does the world,” Mr Trump said. “American prosperity has created countless jobs around the globe and the drive for excellence, creativity and innovation in the US has led to important discoveries that help people everywhere live more prosperous and healthier lives.”

When Trump took the stage, he received modest applause but some people kept their hands at their sides. The crowd was largely subdued as the president spoke but there were boos and hisses when Mr Trump took a swipe at “how nasty, how mean, how vicious and how fake the press can be.”