US' Biden calls on richest one percent to share wealth

By Fatih Erel

DAVOS (AA) - Outgoing U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday called on the world's richest one percent to pay a fair share of their wealth.

In the final days of President Barack Obama’s administration, Biden addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for the last time as vice president by sharing his thoughts on global economy and security, including the relationship between the U.S. and Russia.

Saying that world’s richest one percent must pay more in taxes, Biden said "The top one percent is not carrying its weight."

In a contrast with the incoming U.S. leader, Biden described Russia as the biggest threat to the liberal world order, saying, "It’s imperative that we act urgently to defend the liberal international order."

“The liberal world order with America and Europe as its core was the bedrock of success the world enjoyed," Biden said.

"The effort to fracture the international liberal order is mostly led by Russia," he added.

Saying, "The world is probably safer than it has ever been, but it does not feel that way," Biden added, "There is a palpable uncertainty about the state of the world."

"NATO is a sacred obligation that we have embraced – an attack on one is an attack on all, that can never be placed in question," Biden said, in another contrast with Obama’s successor, who has expressed doubts about the alliance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are expected to dominate the summit even though Trump will not participate in the Davos meeting this year, as he will be inaugurated as U.S. leader on Friday, the last day of this year’s event. Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on goods imported from China when he takes office.

More than 3,000 politicians and businesspeople from 100 countries have been participating in about 400 sessions in the Swiss village.

The forum will also tackle a range of topics, including conflicts in Syria and Iraq plus the refugee crisis.

About 30 world leaders will attend the summit, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo, and IMF chief Christine Lagarde.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek will participate in the forum on Friday in a one-on-one interview.