08 Feb 2017
Iger warns Trump over trade and immigration policies
BY Tom Anstey
Disney chief Bob Iger has warned US president Donald Trump on his trade and migration policies, particularly in terms of a Chinese trade war, potentially pitting the entertainment giant against the will of the Oval Office.
Iger, whose interests in China include Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong, is a member of Trump’s strategic and policy forum – a business advisory council that bring together CEOs and business leaders “who know what it takes to create jobs and drive economic growth.” Iger did not attend the President’s inaugural policy forum, citing a clash with a Disney board meeting.
Among a slew of executive orders, Trump has threatened to impose a tax tariff of up to 45 per cent on Chinese goods, which could “derail global growth”, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking to US broadcaster CNBC, Iger said that China was a key market for Disney, including consumer products, films and its theme parks.
"An all-out trade war with China would be damaging I think to Disney's business and to business in general and something I think we have to be really careful about,” he added.
President Trump’s highly controversial immigration travel ban – a currently-suspended executive order affecting immigration to the US from seven mainly Muslim nations – was also criticised by Iger, who said that the US must demonstrate its “openness to the people of the world”.
In addition to his comments on Trump’s executive orders, Iger revealed new information about his position at the head of Disney, saying he was “open” to the possibility of remaining at the helm of the entertainment giant beyond 2018.
"I am going to do what is in the best interest of this company," said Iger. “While I am confident that my successor is going to be chosen on a timely basis and chosen well, if it is in the best interest of the company for me to extend my term, I am open to that.”
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