DAVOS: United States President Donald Trump told the world’s business elitethat America First does not mean America alone, and that the US is open forbusiness and more competitive than ever.

“I believe in America. As President of the United States, I will always putAmerica First. Just like the leaders of other countries should put theircountries first,” he said while addressing the annual meeting of the WorldEconomic Forum in Davos.

“America First does not mean America alone.”

Trump said he is here to represent the interests of the American People,and to affirm America’s friendship and partnership in building a betterworld.

“Like all nations represented at this forum, America hopes for a future inwhich everyone can prosper, and every child can grow up free from violence,poverty, and fears.”

Trump said that over the past year, they have made extraordinary strides inthe US, and are lifting forgotten communities, creating exciting newopportunities, and helping every American find their path to the AmericanDream.

Therefore, after years of stagnation, the US is once again experiencingstrong economic growth the stock market is smashing record and has addedmore than $7 trillion in new wealth since his election.

“Consumer confidence, business confidence, and manufacturing confidence arethe highest they have been in decades,” he said the have created 2.4million jobs since his election and new unemployment claims are near thelowest in almost half a century, and even African American and HispanicAmericans unemployment has reached the lowest rates.

“The world is witnessing the resurgence of a strong and prosperous America,”

‘America is open for business’

Trump said he is here to deliver a simple message, and there has never beena better time to hire, build, invest and grow in the United States.

“America is open for business and we are competitive once again.”

“The American economy is by far the largest in the world and we’ve justenacted the most significant tax cuts and reform in American history.”

The US president said they have massively cut taxes for the middle classand small businesses to let working families keep more of their hard-earnedmoney, and even lowered corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percentresulting in millions of workers receiving tax cut bonuses from theiremployers.

“And the world’s largest company, Apple, announced it will bring $245billion in overseas profits home to America. Their total investment intothe United States economy will be more than $350 billion over the next fiveyears,” he said.

“Now is the perfect time to bring your business, your jobs, and yourinvestments to the United States of America.”

‘Regulation is stealth taxation.’

Trump said that they have undertaken the most extensive regulatoryreduction, and pledged to eliminate two unnecessary regulations for everyone new regulation, but instead cut twenty-two burdensome regulations.

“Regulation is stealth taxation.”

“In the United States, like in many countries, unelected bureaucrats haveimposed crushing anti-business and anti-worker regulations on our citizenswith no vote, no legislative debate, and no real accountability.”

Trump said they are freeing businesses and workers so they can thrive andflourish as never before. “We are creating an environment that attractscapital, invites investment, and rewards production.

“America is the place to do business – so come to America where you caninnovate, create and build.”

Trump said that when the United States grows, so does the world. “Americanprosperity has created countless jobs around the globe and the drive forexcellence, creativity and innovation in the United States has led toimportant discoveries that help people everywhere live more prosperous andhealthier lives.”

Free Trade needs to be fair and reciprocal

He said that apart from pursuing domestic reforms to unleash jobs andgrowth, the US is also working to reform the international trading systemso that it promotes broadly-shared prosperity and rewards those who play bythe rules.

“We cannot have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system atthe expense of others. We support free trade, but it needs to be fair andreciprocal.”

He added that unfair trade undermines everyone, and the US will no longerturn a blind eye to unfair economic practices, including massiveintellectual property theft, industrial subsidies, and pervasive state-ledeconomic planning.

“These and other predatory behaviors are distorting global markets andharming businesses and workers—not just in the United States, but aroundthe globe.”

Trump said the US expects the leaders of other countries to protect theirinterests, and he will always protect the interests of hi country,companies, and workers.

“We will enforce our trade laws and restore integrity to the tradingsystem,” he said which is possible only by insisting on fair and reciprocaltrade to create a system that works not just for the United States but forall nations.

‘Now is the time to invest in the future of America’

Trump said his administration is also taking swift action to restoreAmerican confidence and independence.

“America is roaring back – and now is the time to invest in the future ofAmerica.”

“We have dramatically cut taxes to make America competitive. We areeliminating burdensome regulations at a record pace. We are reforming thebureaucracy to make it lean, responsive and accountable—and we are ensuringour laws are enforced fairly.

“We have the best colleges and universities in the world, and we have thebest workers in the world. Energy is abundant and affordable. There hasnever been a better time to come to America”

Trump said that the US is also making historic investments in the Americanmilitary because they cannot have prosperity without security.

“To make the world safer from rogue regimes, terrorism, and revisionistpowers, we are asking our friends and allies to invest in their owndefenses and to meet their financial obligations.”

“Our common security requires everyone to contribute their fair share.”

Trump said his administration had led efforts, at the United NationsSecurity Council and around the world, for maximum pressure to denuclearizethe Korean peninsula.

He added the US is working with allies and partners to destroy terroristorganizations such as ISIS, and is leading a coalition to deny control oftheir territory and populations, to cut off their funding, and to discredittheir wicked ideology.

“We are committed to ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safehaven for terrorists who want to commit mass murder of our citizens.

“When it comes to terrorism, we will do what is necessary to protect ournation – we will defend our citizens, and our borders.”