World and Business leaders react to Donald Trump's threat of tariffs in Davos

CGTN Europe

CGTN Presenter Juliet Mann spoke to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Hong Kong financial Secretary Paul Chan.

Transcript

00:00Our correspondent Juliet Mann is in Davos. So Juliet, what have people there been saying?

00:09Well, you know what Robin and Jamie

00:12Trump's America first agenda

00:14Really does raise some awkward questions for the Davos set and also for the European Union as we heard there from John and also from

00:20Giles he's threatened tariffs on EU goods. He says well, he's accused Europe of not well

00:28Saying that America has been treated very very badly

00:32European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde said what we need to do here in Europe is be prepared

00:38We need to anticipate what's happened and then respond and if you think that sounds suitably vague for a central banker

00:44Well, the Commission is also choosing its words very carefully and the EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said here in Davos

00:51The EU will react proportionately to any tariffs to protect and defend its economic

00:59Interests Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He's also been speaking here. I'm using his platform in in Davos to

01:07Slam social media. He said it's eroding democracy by spreading

01:12disinformation

01:14He didn't hold back. He really didn't and he said that tech billionaires, especially those who are heading up social media companies

01:21Really need to be held accountable

01:24What truly limits democracy is the power of the elites?

01:28It is the power of those who think that because they are rich

01:32They are above the law and can do anything

01:36That is why my friends

01:39That is why

01:41The tech billionaires want to overthrow

01:44democracy

01:46This ladies and gentlemen is the truth on the terrible threat we face

01:51The technology that was intended to free us has become the tool of our own oppression. I

02:01Spoke to Andrei Plenkovich, he's the prime minister of Croatia and he was a little bit more conciliatory

02:08He said that Trump back in the White House presents an opportunity for the EU

02:14When it comes to the United States EU relation, we need a lot of pragmatism better understanding we need to strengthen our economies

02:22Especially in the big member countries stagnation is not a very good

02:26economic

02:28Situation and therefore I think we should use the capabilities of increasing our trade

02:33Which is mutually beneficial and we have proven in the past that there are ways to do it. I

02:38I

02:39Also spoke to Hong Kong's finance secretary and Paul Chan and about what Trump in the White House will mean for trade

02:49Well with President Trump, I think the the basic premises such as geopolitical tension

02:56Geopolitical economic fragmentation will be there

02:59But at the same time as a super connector and super valuator we can find a way to add value

03:06And to grow say for example in on the trading front

03:09Nowadays a lot of mainland companies going global. They have their manufacturing bases in Southeast Asia to

03:17Realize their industry base in response to this

03:22Trade tension so Hong Kong in the process can serve as a high value added supply chain management center

03:30trade finance center, so this is

03:33Just one example

03:36And don't forget we will be hearing from the man himself president Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos

03:43He's appearing via video link tomorrow Thursday

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