Trump touts 'successful' trip after returning from Davos

By Max Greenwood -
Trump touts 'successful' trip after returning from Davos
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President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump: If there's no wall, there's no DACA fix Trump appears to call out Samsung over missing FBI text messages Trump Commerce pick told lawmakers he would look at reversing Obama move on internet oversight: report MORE is back stateside after traveling to the Swiss resort town of Davos for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting this week.

The president landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Friday night after a nine-hour flight from Zurich, capping off a trip that lasted roughly two days.

During his short time in Davos, Trump sought to pitch his "America first" message to the annual gathering of global elites often derided by the president and his allies.

"As president of the United States, I will always put America first, just like the leaders of other countries should put their country first also," Trump told a crowd on the last day of the forum.

"But America first does not mean America alone. When the United States grows, so does the world," he added.

In his speech, Trump declared the U.S. "open for business," and reassured conference-goers that he was committed to upholding free trade principles.

"But it needs to be fair and it needs to be reciprocal," Trump said.

Trump tweeted while heading back to Washington on Friday that his speech was "well received." He later dubbed his trip a success while speaking to reporters at the White House.

The trip to Davos was an unusual one for Trump, who campaigned on a populist message opposed to the kind of globalism associated with the annual conference.

Trump was only the second U.S. president to attend the conference, following former President Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson ClintonProtests erupt in Switzerland ahead of Trump's Davos trip CNN's Camerota: Conservatives don't care anymore about extramarital affairs Conway: Trump taking 'America First' message to Davos MORE. Other administrations have sent representatives for the forum.