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.
More
More
Why Trump’s absence could benefit Davos
This content was published on
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.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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.
Read more
More
Who’s in the WEF in-crowd?
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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
This content was published on
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…
This content was published on
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.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.