United States President Donald Trump said that he would not attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is slated to be held in Davos later this month, stating border security and safety of the nation as reasons. He tweeted the decision late Thursday night.
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. My warmest regards and apologies to the @WEF!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2019
Earlier in the day while talking to the press at the White House, Trump informed that his trip to Davos in Switzerland is ‘still on’ for now, but he ‘won’t go’ if the government shutdown continues ahead of January 21.
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The annual World Economic Forum meeting is scheduled to begin on January 22 and continue till January 25.
The US government shutdown reached an impasse after President Trump on Wednesday walked out of the negotiation meeting over wall funding with Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
“Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time. I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier? Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!” Trump tweeted.
This comes a day after Trump, in his maiden address from the Oval office, reiterated his demand for $5.7 billion to fund a wall on the border with Mexico, asserting that the ‘growing crisis’ of illegal immigration is hurting millions of Americans.