The presidential plane is returning to Washington, the White House said
The aircraft carrying US President Donald Trump is returning to the Washington area after a technical issue was identified en route to Davos, the White House said on Tuesday.
“After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The president and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland,” the White House said in a brief statement.
AP cited a reporter on board as saying the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff.
Trump was scheduled to address the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos on Wednesday afternoon. The president was also expected to discuss with European leaders his plans to acquire Greenland from Denmark, which other NATO members oppose.
The president has threatened to impose new tariffs on multiple European countries starting next month unless a deal on Greenland is reached. EU officials are reportedly discussing possible retaliation, including activating previously suspended tariffs on US goods and restricting American companies’ access to the bloc’s market.
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced Trump’s threats as “unacceptable” during his speech in Davos on Tuesday, saying the EU would resist attempts to “weaken and subordinate Europe.”
