Channels, Fall 2020

Channels • 20 20 • Volume 5 • Number 1 Page 41 At the beginning of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump praised the economic development of the US under his administration in the highest terms. In his speech, he said “America is growing and flourishing, and yes: America is winning like never before.” In contrast to the previous administration with its low growth and stagnating or falling wages, Trump described the current development as “spectacular,” predicting “huge” chances for the US economy in the future. “The time f or skepticism is over,” according to the president, and called for other countries to take an example from the USA, claiming that the “American Model” will produce the biggest profits of the 21st century. Trump reaffirmed that the negotiations with China on the second phase of their trade deal would begin very soon. He also added that the USA’s relationship with China has “never been better,” citing that President Xi Jinping is defending China’s interests, and Trump those of the USA. According to Trump, the trade deals he has completed, among others that with China, are a model for trade in the 21st century. Furthermore, he put forward future prospective bilateral trade deals, including one with the United Kingdom following their exit from the European Union. Broadside against the Fed The president also used his appearance in Davos to renew his critique on the US Central Bank. According to Trump, the US has reached an unprecedented level of prosperity and experienced a wave of new business foundings since his election. “This, despite the fact that the Fed raised the rates too quickly and lowered them too slowly.” At the same time, the president pledged himself to the preservation of nature and announced that the USA would join the WEF’s “One Trillion Trees” Initiative. Despite upcoming worldwide challenges, Trump insisted on a more positive attitude regarding politics and economics, stating that fear and doubt help no one and that we ought to look forward optimistically without uttering the phrase “climate change.” With these words , Trump set himself on a collision course with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. According to the president, “We must reject the perpetual prophets of downfall and their predictions of apocalypse.” Thunberg was also present in the audience. Thunberg: As good as nothing done At the beginning of the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Thunberg accused top representatives in politics and economics of failure in the fight against climate change. Despite worldwide protests, practically nothing has been done, said the Swede in her first appearance in the Swiss winter sports resort. The seventeen-year old stressed the fact that emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases are continually increasing and cited the need for “far more” effort in this regard, warning “that’s only the beginning” and demanding that governments must finally take climate change seriously. Though she could not personally complain of not being heard, according to Thunberg, the same can not be said for science and the voice of the youth. In her words, across the world, a consciousness for environmental protection has taken form in the minds of many.