On January 20, Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was interviewed by China's CGTN in Davos, where he discussed US-Azerbaijan relations, the global political landscape, and Azerbaijan's economic policies. The interview was published on February 12.

During the discussion, President Aliyev reflected on Azerbaijan's relationship with the United States, highlighting the positive developments during President Trump’s tenure. He stated that ties had deteriorated under the Biden administration, criticizing its approach toward Azerbaijan. "We remember the time when President Trump led the United States, and our relationship developed very successfully—unlike the last four years, when it completely deteriorated due to the unfair and unjust approach of the Biden administration toward Azerbaijan," Aliyev said. He expressed hope that the "lost years" under Biden would become history and that US-Azerbaijan relations could be revitalized.

Aliyev also commented on the uncertainty among European leaders regarding a potential Trump return, referencing the case of the Canadian Prime Minister, who resigned following Trump’s remarks. He suggested that the unjust treatment of Trump by some Western leaders had raised concerns about their accountability. "I think the world can become much safer. During President Trump's first term, the United States didn’t start any wars. This was a unique experience, if you look at US history over at least the past several decades," Aliyev remarked.

Regarding Azerbaijan's stance on global conflicts, Aliyev stressed that if countries focused on their own agendas without interfering in others’ affairs, there would be fewer conflicts. He attributed global instability to nations with imperialistic pasts seeking to maintain dominance. "The only reason there are unstable situations and bloodshed around the world is that countries with an imperialistic past want to continue interfering, dominating, and dictating," he stated. He also noted Azerbaijan’s ability to resist external interference, emphasizing that countries economically dependent on others struggle to protect their national interests.

The President highlighted Azerbaijan’s successful foreign policy, including its role in hosting a climate conference and diversifying international relations. Addressing the country’s position on the World Trade Organization (WTO), he explained that Azerbaijan had refrained from joining due to protectionism and double standards within the organization. "We are still not a member of the World Trade Organization... The reason why this process has not come to its logical conclusion is exactly what you mentioned—protectionism, double standards, tariffs. All of these disrupt the core values of the World Trade Organization," Aliyev stated. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism about negotiations and underscored Azerbaijan’s self-sufficient economy, emphasizing that the country was not reliant on the benefits of WTO membership.

Discussing regional projects, Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s role in enhancing connectivity in the South Caucasus and Caspian region. "Azerbaijan is well-established in the region... demonstrating that when you have stability and unity in your society, you can defend your interests," he remarked. He also spoke about the importance of US-China consensus for global stability. "Consensus between them on different issues, and cooperation rather than confrontation, would undoubtedly benefit all countries," he said.

Aliyev acknowledged the significance of the Chinese economy for Azerbaijan, particularly regarding stable fossil fuel prices. "For a country like Azerbaijan, which needs stable prices for fossil fuels, the Chinese economy is an important factor," he stated. Additionally, he noted the growing interest of Chinese companies in investing in Azerbaijan, mentioning projects such as the energy cable under the Caspian Sea connecting Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and potentially China. He emphasized the potential for green energy, highlighting that Azerbaijan’s wind and solar power capabilities had exceeded expectations and stressing the importance of international cooperation for the successful implementation of such projects.