Business group opts to rent event space at Trump hotel

The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada had long planned to hold a meeting Thursday night at the Vancouver home of a U.S. diplomatic official to talk about trade relations in the Donald Trump era.

Then, two days ago, the group suddenly switched its plan — choosing instead to rent space for 2,500 Canadian dollars at the glittering new hotel tower bearing the U.S. president’s name.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to see Vancouver’s newest hotel and hear about the newest U.S. President’s options on trade,” read the email to members of the group, which is an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

President Trump does not own the Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver, but he has a stake in the hotel’s success, as its developers pay his private company for the rights to use his name and to manage the property.

The Chamber event is the latest reminder of a key point of tension around Trump’s rise to power, in which he is shaping U.S. policy while maintaining ownership of his high-profile business interests worldwide. And it offers another indication of the ways Trump’s presidency stands to benefit his corporate brand.

Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private oceanfront club in Palm Beach, moved after the election to double its new-member fee to $200,000. An executive for the resort brand Trump Hotels also voiced interest this week in expanding into every major American metropolitan area. And Trump’s new hotel in Washington, blocks from the White House, has drawn new business from foreign diplomats and the embassies of Azerbaijan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Although Trump has removed himself from management of his businesses, his refusal to divest has drawn criticism from ethics experts who say that he stands to personally profit from his public office and that the setup presents a web of potential ethical conflicts.

The change of venue for Thursday’s event in Canada sparked concerns that the business lobby was seeking to curry favor with Trump.

Attendees were told by email Tuesday the event was being moved because of “unforeseen circumstances.” A U.S. Embassy spokesman said organizers were told within the past week that no events could take place in the diplomatic residence due to repairs.