Donald Trump has a national oath of Presidency in the United States after the electoral college proved his victory during the US elections. But, only weeks after, he met with Sagar and Atul Chordia, and Kalpesh Mehta, his Indian business partners using Trump's brand in their country. Critics believe the meeting and other future business-related meetings could compromise Trump's promise of handing off his business in a "blind trust" to his children.
Donald Trump is partnered with Sagar and Atul Chordia on five different Indian infrastructure and resort projects affiliating Trump's business with Panchshil Realty — wned by the Chordias. Kalpesh Mehta is Trump's equivalent in India and is his representative to Tribeca Developers. Both real estate companies have built Trump-branded luxury condominiums in Mumbai and Pune.
A country's president should be free from any individual, organization or company's interest. But if your president is also the CEO of numerous hotels and luxury resorts worldwide, his cabinet meetings are as significant as his business meetings with Indian partners. The blind trust is to help Trump avoid potential conflicts of interest as the elected President of the United States by placing the responsibility for his businesses to his three sons.
The US President-elect is not the owner of Panchshil and Tribeca's condominiums. Instead, his brand name is licensed to the projects and these developers pay for their use of the brand to sell the projects.
Huffington Post believes Trump might not fulfill his promise to avoid conflict of interest. The Post also said Trump's presidency could usher in more opportunities for corrupt governments to gain favor with the United States. In a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, the latter announced that Jose E.B. Antonio will be the country's trade and investment representative to the United States.
Observers believe Donald Trump's business matters can further with Antonio. He is the chairperson of the Century Properties Group, which is also Trump's partner in the Philippines. At present, the developer is currently building the 57-storey Trump Tower in Manila.
