Posted on 01/12/18
| News Source: Politico
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday praised President Donald Trump's decision to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, disputing criticism that the event is a "hangout for globalists."
Mnuchin announced at the White House daily press briefing that he'd be leading the delegation on the trip to Davos later this month. The treasury secretary also rebuffed claims that the summit is a schmoozefest for the wealthy global elite.
"I don’t think it’s a hangout for globalists," Mnuchin said, using a term popularized by the nationalist wing of the Republican Party. "I think the idea is that the economic team will go over and talk about the America First economic strategy."
The White House announced the president's intent to attend the forum on Tuesday. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement announcing the move that Trump "welcomes opportunities to advance his America First agenda with world leaders."
Trump's decision to attend the forum came as a surprise to many. His visit will mark the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended the event in nearly 20 years.
Joining Trump and Mnuchin on the trip will be White House chief of staff John Kelly, national security adviser H.R. McMaster, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and other White House officials, Sanders said in a statement.
The gathering of political leaders and business executives will take place Jan. 23-26.