DAVOS: United States President Donald Trump told the world’s business elite that America First does not mean America alone, and that the US is open for business and more competitive than ever.
“I believe in America. As President of the United States, I will always put America First. Just like the leaders of other countries should put their countries first,” he said while addressing the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“America First does not mean America alone.”
Trump said he is here to represent the interests of the American People, and to affirm America’s friendship and partnership in building a better world.
“Like all nations represented at this forum, America hopes for a future in which everyone can prosper, and every child can grow up free from violence, poverty, and fears.”
Trump said that over the past year, they have made extraordinary strides in the US, and are lifting forgotten communities, creating exciting new opportunities, and helping every American find their path to the American Dream.
Therefore, after years of stagnation, the US is once again experiencing strong economic growth the stock market is smashing record and has added more than $7 trillion in new wealth since his election.
“Consumer confidence, business confidence, and manufacturing confidence are the highest they have been in decades,” he said the have created 2.4 million jobs since his election and new unemployment claims are near the lowest in almost half a century, and even African American and Hispanic Americans unemployment has reached the lowest rates.
“The world is witnessing the resurgence of a strong and prosperous America,”
‘America is open for business’
Trump said he is here to deliver a simple message, and there has never been a better time to hire, build, invest and grow in the United States.
“America is open for business and we are competitive once again.”
“The American economy is by far the largest in the world and we’ve just enacted the most significant tax cuts and reform in American history.”
The US president said they have massively cut taxes for the middle class and small businesses to let working families keep more of their hard-earned money, and even lowered corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent resulting in millions of workers receiving tax cut bonuses from their employers.
“And the world’s largest company, Apple, announced it will bring $245 billion in overseas profits home to America. Their total investment into the United States economy will be more than $350 billion over the next five years,” he said.
“Now is the perfect time to bring your business, your jobs, and your investments to the United States of America.”
‘Regulation is stealth taxation.’
Trump said that they have undertaken the most extensive regulatory reduction, and pledged to eliminate two unnecessary regulations for every one new regulation, but instead cut twenty-two burdensome regulations.
“Regulation is stealth taxation.”
“In the United States, like in many countries, unelected bureaucrats have imposed crushing anti-business and anti-worker regulations on our citizens with no vote, no legislative debate, and no real accountability.”
Trump said they are freeing businesses and workers so they can thrive and flourish as never before. “We are creating an environment that attracts capital, invites investment, and rewards production.
“America is the place to do business – so come to America where you can innovate, create and build.”
Trump said that when the United States grows, so does the world. “American prosperity has created countless jobs around the globe and the drive for excellence, creativity and innovation in the United States has led to important discoveries that help people everywhere live more prosperous and healthier lives.”
Free Trade needs to be fair and reciprocal
He said that apart from pursuing domestic reforms to unleash jobs and growth, the US is also working to reform the international trading system so that it promotes broadly-shared prosperity and rewards those who play by the rules.
“We cannot have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others. We support free trade, but it needs to be fair and reciprocal.”
He added that unfair trade undermines everyone, and the US will no longer turn a blind eye to unfair economic practices, including massive intellectual property theft, industrial subsidies, and pervasive state-led economic planning.
“These and other predatory behaviors are distorting global markets and harming businesses and workers—not just in the United States, but around the globe.”
Trump said the US expects the leaders of other countries to protect their interests, and he will always protect the interests of hi country, companies, and workers.
“We will enforce our trade laws and restore integrity to the trading system,” he said which is possible only by insisting on fair and reciprocal trade to create a system that works not just for the United States but for all nations.
‘Now is the time to invest in the future of America’
Trump said his administration is also taking swift action to restore American confidence and independence.
“America is roaring back – and now is the time to invest in the future of America.”
“We have dramatically cut taxes to make America competitive. We are eliminating burdensome regulations at a record pace. We are reforming the bureaucracy to make it lean, responsive and accountable—and we are ensuring our laws are enforced fairly.
“We have the best colleges and universities in the world, and we have the best workers in the world. Energy is abundant and affordable. There has never been a better time to come to America”
Trump said that the US is also making historic investments in the American military because they cannot have prosperity without security.
“To make the world safer from rogue regimes, terrorism, and revisionist powers, we are asking our friends and allies to invest in their own defenses and to meet their financial obligations.”
“Our common security requires everyone to contribute their fair share.”
Trump said his administration had led efforts, at the United Nations Security Council and around the world, for maximum pressure to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.
He added the US is working with allies and partners to destroy terrorist organizations such as ISIS, and is leading a coalition to deny control of their territory and populations, to cut off their funding, and to discredit their wicked ideology.
“We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists who want to commit mass murder of our citizens.
“When it comes to terrorism, we will do what is necessary to protect our nation – we will defend our citizens, and our borders.”
“When the United States grows, so does the world.” Read more: https://t.co/PmM2zJtJB2 @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/z7MmvHkRn6
— World Economic Forum (@wef) January 26, 2018
US immigration system is stuck in the past.
Trump said the United States is also securing immigration system, as a matter of both national and economic security.
“America is a cutting-edge economy, but our immigration system is stuck in the past.”
“We must replace our current system of extended-family chain migration with a merit-based system of admissions that selects new arrivals based on their ability to contribute to our economy, to support themselves financially, and to strengthen our country.”
Trump said in rebuilding America, they are also fully committed to developing the workforce, and are lifting people from dependence to independence because the single best anti-poverty program is a paycheck.
“To be successful, it is not enough to invest in our economy – we must invest in our people.”
“When people are forgotten, the world becomes fractured. Only by hearing and responding to the voices of the forgotten can we create a bright future that is truly shared by all.|
He called for using the leaders at the World Economic Forum to resolve to use their power, resources, and voices for their people and lift their burdens, raise their hopes, and empower their dreams in order to protect their families, communities, histories, and futures.
“That’s what we’re doing in America, and the results are unmistakable. It’s why new businesses and investment are flooding in. It’s why our unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in decades. It’s why America’s future has never been brighter.”
“ I am inviting all of you to become part of this incredible future we are building together.”
@POTUS @realDonaldTrump on free trade at #wef18 pic.twitter.com/QFzu7mGfMU
— World Economic Forum (@wef) January 26, 2018
