U.S.A.'s interesting latest

An American in Switzerland 
President Donald J. Trump arrived in Davos, Switzerland, early this morning—one day before he becomes only the second American president to address the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

Davos draws some of the world’s most powerful politicians and business leaders. President Trump is attending because he wants to deliver them a message: An “America First” agenda is a great thing for the global economy.

Here’s why:

• America is committed to global growth and prosperity. When the U.S. economy grows, so does the world’s.
• The Trump Administration supports free and open trade—but free trade cannot flourish unless all countries are held accountable to the rules.
• Leaders must reform, not abandon, the international economic system.America’s goal is to make the global economy work for all sovereign nations, not to dismantle it.

Read more about what President Trump will do in Switzerland.

Jeff Sessions on President Trump: ‘Promise delivered’ 
“When President Trump was inaugurated, he made the American people a promise: ‘This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,’” Attorney General Jeff Sessions writes in an op-ed for USA Today.

“It is a promise that he has kept.”

Attorney General Sessions focuses on America’s renewed fight against crime under President Trump. In 2017, the Department of Justice hit more than a few milestones:

• Bringing “cases against more violent criminals than in any year in decades”
• Charging the most firearm prosecutions at the federal level in a decade
• Convicting nearly 500 human traffickers, along with 1,200 gang members
• Witnessing the first decline in the number of officers killed on duty since 2013

The Attorney General’s parting thought: “Crime rates are not like the tides — we can help change them. And under Trump’s strong leadership, we will.”

Read the op-ed from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

More than 100 mayors come to the White House 
Yesterday, President Trump met with more than 100 mayors from across the country in the East Room of the White House. The bipartisan group represented communities both urban and rural, and they joined in a panel discussion with housing, transportation, and development experts from across the Administration.

“We have some really hardworking people in this room,” President Trump told attendees before reiterating the White House’s commitment to supporting local government. He emphasized that America’s economic comeback is translating into record-low unemployment for women, African-Americans, and Hispanics.

Read more: “You're very, very important to the future of this country.”

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President Donald J. Trump arrives in Switzerland | January 25, 2018 (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

POTUS TODAY

Last night, President Trump arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

This morning, he is participating in bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister of the State of Israel at the World Economic Forum Congress Centre.

Later, he will meet with Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, followed by a dinner with European business leaders.

NASA Day of Remembrance 2018
Issued on: January 25, 2018

On this year’s Day of Remembrance, we honor the brave men and women of NASA who lost their lives in our Nation’s eternal quest to expand the boundaries of human potential. The dedication and sacrifice of the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews, remind us of the true bravery and resiliency of the American spirit, and the challenges we boldly face to reach higher for all mankind. America’s leadership in space is not without cost, but we have met tragedy with perseverance and challenge with achievement. We will not forget the contributions of our great American heroes as we build on their legacy to reach vast and exciting frontiers.

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel

Issued on: January 25, 2018


President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel met today in Davos, Switzerland to reaffirm the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel. The President underscored the unwavering commitment of the United States to Israel, including its security and the continuing growth of its economy. The two leaders reviewed their ongoing cooperation across a range of issues and stressed their goal of countering Iran’s malign influence and threatening behavior in the region. They also discussed prospects for achieving an enduring Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom

Issued on: January 25, 2018

President Donald J. Trump met today with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom. The President and Prime Minister discussed joint efforts to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and other jihadist terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq. They discussed the importance of confronting Iran’s destructive behavior across the Middle East and fundamental flaws in the Iran nuclear deal. The leaders committed to expanded trade between the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as how the two countries can work together to ensure all nations engage in fair and reciprocal trade practices. The two leaders also discussed plans for a working visit to London in the coming months and affirmed the “special relationship” between the two countries is stronger than ever.

Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister May of the United Kingdom After Bilateral Meeting | Davos, Switzerland


FOREIGN POLICY

Issued on: January 25, 2018

World Economic Forum Congress Centre

Davos, Switzerland

3:23 P.M. CET

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Well, thank you very much. It’s an honor to be with Prime Minister May. We’ve had a great discussion. We’re on the same wavelength in, I think, every respect.

The Prime Minister and myself have had a really great relationship, although some people don’t necessarily believe that. But I can tell you it’s true. I have tremendous respect for the Prime Minister and the job she’s doing.

And I think the feeling is mutual from the standpoint of liking each other a lot. And so that was a little bit of a false rumor out there. I just wanted to correct it, frankly, because we have great respect for everything you’re doing. And we love your country because it’s truly great.

And we’re working on transactions, in terms of economic development, trade, maybe most importantly, military. And we are very much joined at the hip when it comes to the military. We have the same ideas, the same ideals, and there’s nothing that would happen to you that we won’t be there to fight for you. You know that.

And I just want to thank you very much. This is a great honor to be with you. Thank you very much.

PRIME MINISTER MAY: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you. We’ve had — as you say, we’ve had a great discussion today. And we continue to have that really special relationship between the UK and the United States, standing shoulder-to -shoulder because we’re facing the same challenges across the world. And as you say, we’re working together to defeat those challenges and to meet them.

And alongside that, working for a good trade relationship in the future, which will be to both our benefits. So the UK and the U.S. both do well out of this.

And it’s been great to see you today.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Good. Well, it’s great to see you.

One thing that will be taking place over a number of years will be trade. The trade is going to increase many times, and we look forward to that. But the trade concepts and discussions — and the discussions, really, I think can say, most importantly that will be taking place are going to lead to tremendous increases in trade between our two countries, which is great for both in terms of jobs.

And we look forward to that, and we are starting that process pretty much as we speak. So thank you all very much for being here. Thank you.

Q Mr. President, when will there be a state visit, do you think?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: When will be — what? State?

Q State visit to the UK? Is that set?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We will talk about it.

PRIME MINISTER MAY: We’ll talk about that.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’re going to be talking about it.

END

3:26 P.M. CET

Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel Before Bilateral Meeting | Davos, Switzerland
Issued on: January 25, 2018

World Economic Forum Congress Centre

Davos, Switzerland

3:47 P.M. CET

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. It’s great to be with Prime Minister Netanyahu. We’ve developed a great relationship, both as countries where I think it’s never been stronger — and I can honestly say that — and also, as personal friends.

We have discussions going with Israel on many things, including trade. But the big move and something that was very historic and very important was the fact that we will be moving our embassy, as you know, to Jerusalem. And as we also know, that is way ahead of schedule, by years, and we anticipate having a small version of it opened sometime next year. So that’s a long time ahead of schedule.

It’s an honor, and it’s great honor to be with you. Thank you very much.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Thank you. Mr. President, Donald — thank you.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Mr. President, I want to say something, because this is the first meeting we’ve had since your historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the embassy, and now to expedite the movement of the embassy, to Jerusalem.

I want to say that this is a historic decision that will be forever etched in the hearts of our people for generations to come. People say that this pushes peace backward. I say it pushes peace forward because it recognizes history, it recognizes the present reality, and peace can only be built on the basis of truth. And by recognizing this history, you’ve made history. And we will always remember that.

We also support you completely in your stalwart position on the Iran nuclear deal. You’ve said it’s a disastrous deal. You’ve said that if its fatal flaws are not fixed, that you should walk away from it. And I want you to know that if you decide to do that, then we will back you all the way.

We also appreciate the fact that you confront Iran’s aggression with us and with other parties in the region as never before. I’ve never seen the holistic alliance between the United States, Israel, and your other allies in the region as strong, as unified as it is under your leadership.

And the last point is, you stood up for Israel at the U.N. in a remarkable way — rock-solid support. This is a place — it’s a house of slander against Israel and against the United States. And by word and deed, you have told them enough is enough.

As you finish your first year in office, I want to say that I look forward to continuing our remarkable, tremendous friendship in the years ahead. And I want to express the appreciation of the people of Israel to you.

Thank you, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, Bibi. Thank you. My honor.

I have to say, on the United Nations, we were pretty much out in the wilderness by ourselves — the United States. And we heard every country was going to be against us. And it was very interesting. I said, you know, we give billions and billions of dollars to these countries. It amounts to hundreds of millions, and sometimes into the billions for certain countries, and they vote against us. And I made a very simple statement that I’m watching. I’m watching. And we ended up getting 68 votes, either “yes” or “we’ll take a neutral position,” which was okay too.

PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU: Which was a “yes.”

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Which was essentially a “yes,” that’s right. But we ended up getting a lot of votes that we were — I would say, virtually, we were going to get none.

And we give billions of dollars away every year to countries, and in many cases, those countries don’t even support us. They don’t support the United States.

Israel has always supported the United States. So what I did with Jerusalem was my honor. And hopefully, we can do something with peace. I would love to see it.

You know, if you look back at the various peace proposals — and they are endless — and I spoke to some of the people involved, and I said, “Did you ever talk about the vast amounts of funds, money that we give to the Palestinians?” We give, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars. And they said, “We never talk.” Well, we do talk about it.

And when they disrespected us a week ago by not allowing our great Vice President to see them — and we give them hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and support — tremendous numbers; numbers that nobody understands. That money is on the table, and that money is not going to them unless they sit down and negotiate peace. Because I can tell you that Israel does want to make peace. And they’re going to have to want to make peace too, or we’re going to have nothing to do with it any longer.

This was never brought up by other negotiators, but it’s brought up by me. So I will say that the hardest subject they had to talk about was Jerusalem. We took Jerusalem off the table, so we don’t have to talk about it anymore. They never got past Jerusalem. We took it off the table. We don’t have to talk about it anymore. You won one point, and you’ll give up some points later on in the negotiation, if it ever takes place. I don’t know that it ever will take place.

But they have to respect the process also, and they have to respect the fact that the U.S. has given tremendous support to them over the years, in terms of monetary support and other support.

So we’ll see what happens with the peace process, but respect has to be shown to the U.S. or we’re just not going any further. Thank you all very much.

Thank you very much, everybody.

Q (Inaudible.)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Steve, go ahead. Speak up, Steve. That’s not like you.

Q Are you close to putting out some sort of Middle East peace plan — proposal?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We’ll see what happens. Yes, we have a proposal for peace. It’s a great proposal for the Palestinians. I think it’s a very good proposal for Israel. It covers a lot of the things that were, over the years, discussed and agreed on. But the fact is — and I think you know this better than anybody — there were never any deals that came close, because Jerusalem — you could never get past Jerusalem.

So when people said, “Oh, I set it back” — I didn’t set it back, I helped it. Because by taking it off the table, that was the toughest issue. And Israel will pay for that. Look, Israel — something is going to happen. They’ll do something that’s going to be a very good thing. But they want to make peace, and I hope the Palestinians want to make peace. And if they do, everybody is going to be very happy in the end. We’ll see what happens, Steve. We’re going to see what happens.

Q Mr. President, any comments about Abu Mazen’s remarks regarding you personally?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: No, I didn’t really read his remarks, personally. I think I’m probably better off not seeing them. But we’ve done a lot for them, and hopefully they’re going to make peace for their people.

You know what, it’s many years of killing people. It’s many years of killing each other. They have to be tired and disgusted of it. So let’s see what happens. I think, eventually, very sound minds — I hope sound minds — are going to prevail. And it would be a great achievement of mine. I’ve said it from day one, if we could make peace between Israel and the Palestinians — if we do that, I would consider that one of our truly great achievements.

But the money is on the table. The money was never on the table. I’ll tell you up front, we give them tremendous amounts — hundreds of millions of dollars a year. That money is on the table. Because why should we do that, as a country, if they’re doing nothing for us? And what we want to do for them is help them. We want to create peace and save lives. And we’ll see what happens. We’ll see what happens. But the money is on the table.

Thank you very much.

Q Are you ending the aid immediately?

Q Mr. President, what does the timeline look like?

PRESIDENT TRUMP: Any time they want. Any time they want.

END

3:55 P.M. CET