Trump declares at World Economic Forum 'America is back and open for business'

President Donald Trump issued virtual remarks at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, saying that the week in America since his inauguration has been "truly historic" and marked the start of the "golden age in America." He told businesses to come make their products in America and receive "among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth," or don’t make them in the US and face tariffs. 

"What the world has witnessed in the past 72 hours is nothing less than a revolution of common sense," Trump told attendees. "Our country will soon be stronger, wealthier, and more united than ever before, and the entire planet will be more peaceful and prosperous as a result of this incredible momentum."

He said that his administration is "acting with unprecedented speed to fix the disasters we inherited from a totally inept group of people, and to solve every single crisis facing our country. This begins with confronting the economic chaos caused by the failed policies of the last administration."

He noted that the government "racked up $8 trillion in wasteful deficit spending" over the past four years and "inflicted nation-wrecking energy restrictions, crippling regulations, and hidden taxes like never before." He later added, "President Biden totally lost control of what was going on in our country, but in particular with our high inflation economy and at our border."

"It was the highest inflation probably in the history of our country. That’s why from the moment I took office I’ve taken rapid action to reverse each and every one of these radical left policies that created this calamity, in particular with immigration, crime, and inflation." He outlined the flurry of executive orders and actions he has signed since taking office, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Outlining how he will make the US a "manufacturing superpower," Trump said, "my message to every business in the world is very simple: come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on Earth. We’re bringing them down very substantially, even from the original Trump tax cuts. But if you don’t make your product in America, which is your prerogative, then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff, differing amounts, but a tariff which will direct hundreds of billions of dollars, even trillions of dollars, into our treasury to strengthen our economy and pay down debt."

"Under the Trump administration, there will be no better place on Earth to create jobs, build factories, or grow a company than right here in the good old USA."

Trump later added, "The progress that you’re seeing is happening because of our historic victory in the recent presidential election, one that has become quite well known throughout the world. I think a lot of things are happening to a lot of countries. They say that there’s light shining all over the world since the election, and even countries that we aren’t particularly friendly with are happy because they understand" how "great the future will be under our leadership. America is back and open for business."