President Trump Arrives in Davos After Air Force One Incident; Treasury Secretary Outlines US Policy Stances

President Donald Trump arrived in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum after his initial flight on Air Force One experienced a minor electrical issue, necessitating a return to Washington D.C. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had already begun briefings at the forum, outlining the administration's positions on trade, national security, and other policy matters. Separately, the United Kingdom reported a rise in inflation, and discussions are underway regarding potential new venues for the annual forum.

President Trump's Journey to Davos

President Trump's flight to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland was delayed after Air Force One encountered a minor electrical issue shortly after its departure on Tuesday evening. The aircraft returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as a precautionary measure, following the crew's detection of a fault. Journalists aboard reported a brief power outage in the press cabin.

Following the incident, President Trump transferred to an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757, and continued his journey. He arrived in Zurich approximately three hours later than scheduled before traveling to Davos. The unscheduled turnaround caused a delay in his arrival at the forum, where he is slated to deliver a speech.

Air Force One designates any U.S. Air Force aircraft carrying the President. The current fleet comprises two Boeing 747-200B series aircraft, which have been in service since 1990, approaching four decades of operation. While these planes have undergone upgrades, reports indicate increasing maintenance costs. The administration has previously expressed interest in exploring alternatives to Boeing due to delays in the delivery of new presidential aircraft. In 2025, a Boeing 747-8 luxury jet, gifted by Qatar's ruling family, was added to the presidential fleet and is currently being refitted to meet U.S. security standards. President Trump had previously stated his expectation for an "interesting Davos," noting discussions around potential tariffs on European countries regarding Greenland, which he intends to acquire.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent's Briefing

Before the President's arrival, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held a press briefing at the US House in Davos, detailing key policy stances of the Trump administration.

Secretary Bessent stated that the U.S. government is actively rebalancing international trade, asserting that this process was "long overdue." He noted that the U.S. international trade deficit is narrowing, with October's data showing the deficit at its lowest level since 2009. Bessent emphasized economic growth as the primary method to address global debt, stating, "grow baby, grow." He further asserted that a strong America benefits the world and that growth can be achieved through expanded trade.

Regarding national security, Bessent questioned the deployment of troops to Greenland by eight European countries, reaffirming that the U.S. will not outsource its national security. He also criticized the United Kingdom, a U.S. partner, regarding the transfer of the Diego Garcia base to Mauritius.

Bessent expressed concern about Switzerland potentially adopting European Union policies. He also criticized California's Governor Gavin Newsom, referencing the state's homelessness issue.

US Delegation to World Economic Forum

The U.S. delegation to Davos includes:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio
• White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
• Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller
• National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett

Related Economic and Forum News

In the United Kingdom, the consumer prices index (CPI), a measure of inflation, increased to 3.4% in December 2025. This marks a rise from 3.2% in November 2025 and is the first increase recorded in five months. The Office for National Statistics reported a 0.4% price increase in December alone, with alcohol and tobacco, and transport identified as the largest contributors to this monthly change.

The Financial Times reported that senior executives at the World Economic Forum are evaluating whether to change the location of its annual meeting. Concerns have been raised that the event has outgrown its traditional Alpine venue in Davos. Alternative rotating venues, including Detroit and Dublin, are reportedly under consideration.

Recent Travel Incidents for US Officials

Technical problems on presidential jets are uncommon due to extensive maintenance protocols. However, recent mechanical issues have affected other high-ranking officials' travel. In February 2025, a military plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany returned to Washington due to a mechanical issue. In October of an unspecified year, a military plane transporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in Britain after a windshield crack. A previous incident involving the primary Air Force One occurred in 2006 when it experienced a malfunction on the tarmac in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, leading President George W. Bush to use a backup aircraft.