A White House spokesperson confirmed that finance minister Steven Mnuchin and trade minister Wilbur Ross will not be travelling to Davos. President r had previously said he could not attend WEF’s showcase event that takes place next week.
The pull-out scuppers plans by Switzerland to use the WEF meeting of political and business leaders to revive free trade agreement talks between the two countries that have lain dormant for more than a decade.
WEFExternal link, which runs from January 22-25 this year, has been shorn of several government heads, who have been forced to stay at home to deal with problematic situations in their home countries.
WEF’s Global Risk Report, released on Wednesday, said worsening international relations present a major risk of allowing growing global problems to get out of hand.
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Why Trump’s absence could benefit Davos
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If this year’s World Economic Forum does indeed take place without US President Donald Trump, it won’t matter too much, say some Swiss media.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
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The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
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As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
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A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
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Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
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Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
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Who’s in the WEF in-crowd?
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Making it on the participants list at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting is no easy feat. Who made the cut this year?
Brexit worries to keep Theresa May away from Davos
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UK Prime Minister Theresa May, citing domestic concerns, has followed her French and American counterparts by pulling out of this year’s WEF.
Brazilian president chooses WEF for first overseas trip
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The rightwing Bolsonaro will join US President Donald Trump and many other world leaders in Switzerland from January 21-25. The annual showpiece meeting attracts around 3,000 political and business heads plus leaders in the worlds of science, culture, civil society and religion. Bolsonaro made his announcement during his first television interview since taking office on…
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If this year’s World Economic Forum does indeed take place without US President Donald Trump, it won’t matter too much, say some Swiss media.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.