Trump, Ivanka to meet with 50 business leaders

ivanka trump — Ivanka Trump attends US President Donald Trump's strategy and policy forum with chief executives of major US companies at the White House in Washington, US, February 3, 2017. Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

US President Donald Trump is planning to meet with at least 50 business leaders at the White House this week. The POTUS reportedly want to discuss ways on how the business climate can be improved, and his daughter Ivanka Trump is expected to join the town hall along with other government employees.

Chief executives of Citigroup Inc, Blackstone Group LP, JetBlue Airways Corp, Mastercard Inc and the New York Stock Exchange were among those who were invited to the meeting. Senior executives from General Electric, Hearst, HSBC Bank USA, Interpublic Group, Vornado Realty Trust, Centerbridge Partners and Paulson & Co are also part of the guest list. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao are joining the discussion as well.

The White House announcement Monday comes as Trump’s administration shifts its focus to tax reform after it failed to repeal and replace Obamacare. White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said the president’s meeting with business leader is an opportunity to talk about policies to create a pro-business climate with top partnership CEOs from every industry. The talk would also include discussions on infrastructure, modernising the government and workforce development.

Since he took office in January, the POTUS has arranged several meetings with chief executives and other business leaders, asking how his administration can cut regulations to promote economic growth. The town hall, which may last for an hour and 45 minutes, would include banking, private equity and hedge funds, insurance companies and others, Reuters reports.

Trump, who was a real estate mogul before he became the president of the free world, vowed to revitalise the US economy. He rolls back labour and environmental regulations, which he said cause harm to businesses, as he signs an executive order to cut some energy regulations.

Meanwhile, some large US companies defy the president on issues concerning climate change. Nestlé, for instance, assured that it will actively contribute to industry efforts on the topic. A spokesman for General Mills, which sells cereals, snack bars, yogurt and others, said its believes that investing in a low-carbon economy will help foster a healthier environment and unleash new business growth potential for the country and around the world.

Trump recently signed an executive order that requires US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review Clean Power Plan by the administration of former POTUS Barack Obama. The policy requires states to meet standards for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.