Trump in Davos, a gift for Switzerland

News Mondays - Loris S. Musumeci 

President Donald Trump was billed as a spoilsport at the Davos Economic Forum. It was a scandal whether he would come at all. Newspapers around the world imagined the worst scenarios for his official speech, delivered last Friday. Swiss activists, meanwhile, proudly brandished their «TRUMP NOT WELCOME» in major Swiss cities, having been denied permission to demonstrate in the Graubünden commune.

To the journalists, who had predicted a fiery, idiotic, protectionist, or even racist speech, the President of the United States responded by delivering an address to the global economic elite that conveyed a sense of consensus and offered a measured explanation of «America First.» To the activists, he made it clear—through his good humor and his appreciation for being in Switzerland—just how ridiculous it was to advocate for democracy and freedom while seeking to censor the visit of a head of state—one with his flaws, to be sure, but also with an open mind.

Alain Berset's attitude is commendable

The Swiss president’s attitude is particularly commendable. Ever since his opening speech on Tuesday morning, there have been constant claims that his call for an open economy and social stability was a veiled attack on Donald Trump. Yet Socialist Alain Berset did not take the easy way out. He could have pandered to his audience with humor and, with discreet condescension, mocked the arrival of the «mentally ill» man elected just over a year ago.

«We're not here to lecture anyone,» he replied instead on Tuesday evening on The 1st on RTS, even though the reporter seemed to be frankly pressing him to speak ill of Trump. Although the two statesmen undoubtedly have many differences, both have shown strong, mutual respect. The U.S. president’s «thank you for your kindness» is a testament to this.

A Strengthened Friendship Between the United States and Switzerland

As innocuous or diplomatic as they may seem, good relations between the authorities of two different nations often serve genuine interests, even for the less powerful of the two. Alain Berset reiterated in his press conference on Friday evening just how much Switzerland stands to gain from its friendship with the United States. «We are the sixth-largest foreign investor in the United States, ahead of France, Germany, and even China.» While it is clear that the United States is beneficial to Switzerland, the reverse is less so.

Following his remarks, the President of the Swiss Confederation stated that, during an «open-minded» dialogue, he had pointed out to Donald Trump just how valuable Switzerland could also be to the world’s leading power, particularly by serving as a neutral venue for international diplomacy. According to both delegations, the discussion yielded excellent results. It seems that Trump’s visit was more of a gift than a disgrace for Switzerland.

Write to the author: loris.musumeci@leregardlibre.com