Trump tells Davos elite to invest in US or face tariffs
President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum with a strong message for global elites: invest in the U.S. or prepare for tariffs. Speaking via video from the White House on his third full day in office, he emphasized a pro-American strategy that included enticing foreign companies with the promise of lower taxes.
In his speech, Trump highlighted his executive actions since taking office and claimed he had a “massive mandate” from the American people to implement significant changes. His approach was a blend of incentives and penalties aimed at driving private investment to the United States.
“Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes as any nation on earth,” Trump declared. He further warned, “But if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff — differing amounts — but a tariff, which will direct hundreds of billions of dollars and even trillions of dollars into our treasury to strengthen our economy and pay down debt under the Trump administration.”
In addition to urging companies to relocate their manufacturing, Trump spoke about recent communications with Saudi Arabia. He noted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed intentions to invest $600 billion in the U.S. However, Trump indicated that he would encourage the crown prince to increase that figure to $1 trillion, eliciting laughter from attendees in Davos.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, introduced Trump by stating that the new president’s agenda had been a key topic during the discussions of the summit. Schwab extended an invitation for Trump to speak in person at next year’s forum, highlighting the ongoing interest in the American leader’s policies.
Trump’s bold stance at Davos underscored a commitment to reshaping the economic landscape through a combination of fiscal incentives and potential penalties, aiming to boost manufacturing and investment within the U.S.
