00:00Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome.
00:10I guess we don't have enough seats today.
00:12Wow.
00:15In the last quarter century, a sitting president of the United States has come to Davos only
00:22twice.
00:24Both times, it was Donald Trump.
00:26So when I asked to serve in this new role that I have, he was one of the first leaders I
00:36called and invited to return.
00:39I first met the president about 25 years ago, but I worked most closely with him during the
00:47early months of COVID.
00:49This was March 2020.
00:51Markets were under extreme stress.
00:53Perhaps some economists were warning we could be headed towards a second Great Depression.
01:01What stood out to me during the extraordinary period was a president's willingness to bring
01:07together people from governments, from business, across institutions, across perspective, to
01:15think differently, and importantly, to act decisively.
01:21That instinct to act, especially in pivotal moments, is one reason I think he values the
01:28World Economic Forum.
01:29It is a unique institution that brings together the largest combination of government officials,
01:38business leaders, technology leaders, civil society and NGO leaders, anywhere in the world
01:46for a genuine dialogue.
01:49And particularly, importantly, this year.
01:53Thankfully, this group is meeting under better economic circumstances than during the pandemic.
02:00But once again, we're forcing very serious different economic conditions around the world.
02:09One of the central challenges that is impacting me is how capitalism can benefit more.
02:17And how can we broaden our global economy for greater and greater participation?
02:24That is a question where the president has shown real leadership through investing in infrastructure,
02:31reducing barriers to growth, and initiatives like the Trump account, designed to give more
02:37Americans a direct stake in the growth of the U.S. economy.
02:41As he enters the second year of his second term, we are interested in hearing his plans for
02:472026 and beyond, and will no doubt create more and more conversation.
02:53And that's what the forum is about.
02:56A serious conversation in the spirit of dialogue.
03:00Discussions where the world is headed, where are we going?
03:04And these discussions would be incomplete without the president of the United States, the most
03:12important leader in the world.
03:14We appreciate him here.
03:17So let me introduce and welcome back to Davos the president of the United States, Donald J.
03:25Trump.
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