Trump cancels trip to Davos amid standoff over shutdown
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Twitter on Thursday he will not be attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, citing his standoff with Democrats over border wall funding, CNBC reports.
Earlier, senior administration officials said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was likely to lead the U.S. delegation to the forum even if the government remained closed when the three-day conference starts Jan. 22.
However, they said Mnuchin will likely lead a smaller-than-expected group to Switzerland if a large chunk of the government remains closed.
Trump had told reporters earlier Thursday he planned to go to Davos but would stay home if the shutdown continued. The loose contingency plans emerged as Trump and congressional Republicans battle Democrats over funding for the president's proposed southern border wall. Trump has refused to sign bills to fund about a quarter of the federal government that do not include money to pay for the barrier.
"The shutdown determines everything" about who will go to Davos, a senior administration official told CNBC. The official declined to give more details.
Media representatives for the White House and Treasury declined to comment.