Former President Donald Trump is slated to meet with the powerful business lobbying group, the Business Roundtable, in Washington. The meeting is scheduled for June 13 and Trump will be in attendance. This move comes as Trump attempts to build alliances with major corporate leaders. It is worth noting that President Joe Biden was invited to the meeting, but he is unable to attend due to overseas travel for a G7 meeting. Instead, White House chief of staff Jeff Zients will be present at the meeting on behalf of the Biden administration.
The meeting with the Business Roundtable is significant for Trump as he seeks support and donations for his presidential campaign. Trump has been promoting ideas such as tax cuts and tariffs as part of his campaign platform. The Business Roundtable consists of over 200 CEOs, including prominent figures like Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, and Chevron CEO Mike Wirth. Trump’s past policies, especially his tariffs on Chinese products, have not always been in alignment with the group’s interests.
During Trump’s presidency, the Business Roundtable supported some of his policies, such as tax cuts, but expressed concerns over issues like tariffs on Chinese products. Following the white nationalist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia, several members of the Business Roundtable resigned from the White House’s business advisory councils in 2017. The group’s chair and CEO, Chuck Robbins, condemned racism and discrimination at that time. Similarly, after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, the Business Roundtable called on Trump to ensure a peaceful transition of power.
Despite disagreements on certain policies, Trump has persistently courted wealthy business leaders for support. Even after his recent conviction in New York, some Republican-leaning business leaders have continued to provide support to Trump. The Trump campaign reported raising over $50 million in donations within 24 hours following the guilty verdict. Susie Wiles, Trump’s senior campaign adviser, has made appeals to powerful Republican megadonors, emphasizing why they should back Trump’s candidacy.
The upcoming meeting between Former President Trump and the Business Roundtable marks a critical juncture in Trump’s efforts to secure support from influential business figures. The meeting could potentially shape the direction of Trump’s campaign leading up to the presidential election. It remains to be seen how Trump’s past policies and actions will influence his relationship with the business community moving forward.
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