Are we entering a new era of the statesman chief executive? It’s a question worth asking after the disbanding of President Donald Trump’s two major business councils last week.
Many of the chiefs involved, who harboured mixed feelings about engaging with the president, did so because they hoped to push through a business friendly agenda that included tax and educational reform as well as major infrastructure projects and stay in the good graces of the White House, historically a net positive for corporate prospects.
What has become clear over the past few days is that being close to this “business friendly” president is not necessarily good for business.