President Donald Trump gestures as reporters raise their hands while he speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday Jan. 10, 2019, in Washington, en route for a trip to the border in Texas as the government shutdown continues. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he’s canceling his trip later this month to a global forum in Switzerland because of the partial government shutdown, now in its 20th day.
The president was scheduled to leave Jan. 21 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an annual event that attracts high-profile business and political figures, plus thinkers, artists and other elites. He blamed the cancellation on Democrats in Congress, saying they are not willing to negotiate a resolution to the shutdown, which is hung up on Trump’ demand for money to build a wall on the southern border.
“Because of the Democrats intransigence on Border Security and the great importance of Safety for our Nation, I am respectfully cancelling my very important trip to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum,” Trump tweeted. “My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEF!” Trump tweeted.
Earlier in the day, Trump said the trip was “still on” and he would cancel if the shutdown over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall continued. He told reporters on the South Lawn that he wanted to attend and speak before the world financial community. Fewer than five hours later, he nixed the trip.
“We have a great story to tell,” Trump said about what he intended to say at the forum. “We have the best job numbers we’ve ever had, in many ways. Certainly with African-Americans, with Hispanic, with Asian-Americans. And overall, we have the best job numbers in at least 50 years. The economy is incredible. We’re negotiating and having tremendous success with China.”
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He said it was easier to negotiate trade with China than talk to Democrats about border security and funding for a wall.
“I find China, frankly, in many ways, to be far more honorable than Cryin’ Chuck and Nancy. I really do,” Trump said referring to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “I think that China is actually much easier to deal with than the opposition party.”
Last year, a brief government shutdown threatened to derail his trip to Davos, but he ended up making the trip and gave remarks, asserting that his “America First” agenda can go hand-in-hand with global cooperation.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who is to lead the U.S. delegation, and other White House officials are still likely to attend the event, Jan. 22-25, a White House official said.
Other top-level administration figures scheduled to attend include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Homeland Security Secretary Nielson. Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner also were to attend the forum.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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