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Trump Meets With Leaders of Israel, Britain in Davos

by Henry Ridgwell

   LONDON --

   President Donald Trump accused the Palestinians Thursday of
   disrespecting the U.S. by refusing to meet with Vice President Pence
   during his recent visit to the Middle East.

   Pence's willingness to meet with Palestinian leaders was rebuffed by
   Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in response to Trump's
   December decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

   "They disrespected us a few weeks ago by not allowing our great vice
   president" to sit down with them, Trump said after meeting with Israeli
   Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum in the
   Swiss mountain resort of Davos.
   WATCH: Trump on Palestinians

   In recognition of Jerusalem, Trump also said the U.S. would open a
   small embassy in the Old City next year.

   After meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump also tried
   to reassure the world that they have a good relationship.

   "We're on the same wavelength in I think every respect," Trump said in
   an apparent attempt to dispel the perception that the relationship
   between the two leaders is strained.

   Trump arrived at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, the first
   sitting U.S. president to attend since Bill Clinton in 2000.
   Analysts say many delegates are bracing for a clash of competing
   visions for the global economy.

   'America First'

   Trump is expected to push his agenda of "America First," which has seen
   the United States put tariffs on some imports and demand the
   restructuring of global trade deals. Other global powers, including
   Europe, China and Japan, are urging a renewed commitment to global free
   trade.
   Organizers hope the summit will help reconcile the rival visions.
   "We strongly believe in dialogue and I think the fact that the
   president of the U.S. is here also opens up for a discussion about more
   equitable globalization," said Borge Brende, president of the World
   Economic Forum.
   But it is Trump's attitude toward globalization, and by extension free
   trade, that is generating a tangible tension ahead of his speech that
   will close the summit Friday.
   The president signed an order Tuesday imposing steep import tariffs on
   washing machines and solar panels, repeating his assertion that the
   current trade system is bad for America.

   "These executive actions uphold the principle of fair trade and
   demonstrate to the world that the United States will not be taken
   advantage of anymore," Trump told reporters at the White House.
   India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the opening address to the
   forum. His message contrasted sharply with what will likely be Trump's.
   "Forces of protectionism are raising their heads against globalization.
   Their intention is not only to avoid globalization themselves but also
   want to reverse its natural flow," Modi told delegates Tuesday.
   His sentiments were shared by many other leaders at Davos, including
   America's European allies, and big economies like China and Japan.

   So how will Trump's "America First" agenda be received?
   Inderjeet Parmar, professor of international politics at City
   University London, said, "It's almost setting the agenda for a
   confrontation of some form.

   "So, I think there's going to be some anxiety, because there is a sort
   of changing character of the international system, or at least changing
   character of America's engagement with it. And that's having a knock-on
   effect on other states which are beginning increasingly to see that
   it's going to be a bit more competitive in the international order,"
   Parmar said.

   On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump warned against the "false song of
   globalism." In his speech in the spiritual heart of that globalism
   Friday he will likely deliver a message many fellow guests may not want
   to hear.