The presidential plane had to return to Washington shortly after takeoff, the White House said
US President Donald Trump was forced to turn back to the Washington, DC area after a technical issue was identified on Air Force One shortly after the plane had set off for Switzerland 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 is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos on Wednesday afternoon. The president is also expected to discuss with European leaders his plans to acquire Greenland from Denmark, which other NATO members oppose.
Trump 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 a speech in Davos on Tuesday, saying the EU will resist attempts to “weaken and subordinate Europe.”
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