Uber CEO quits Trump’s business advisory group

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Uber Technologies Inc. Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick has quit US President Donald Trump's business advisory group, he said in a company email reviewed by Reuters on Thursday.

The CEO of the ride hailing service had been under mounting pressure from activists who oppose the administration's immigration policies, including Uber drivers, many of whom are immigrants themselves.

"Joining the group was not meant to be an endorsement of the president or his agenda, but unfortunately it has been misinterpreted to be exactly that," Kalanick, who had planned to attend a meeting of the group on Friday, said in the email.

Uber CEO Travis Kalanick attends the summer World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China, June 26, 2016. /Reuters Photo

He said he spoke briefly to Trump about the immigration order "and its issues for our community" and told the president he would not join the economic council.

The CEO came under increasing pressure to leave the council after Trump issued an executive order temporarily barring entry to people from seven majority-Muslim nations.

A man exits the Uber offices in Queens, New York, US, February 2, 2017. /CFP Photo

"There are many ways we will continue to advocate for just change on immigration, but staying on the council was going to get in the way of that. The executive order is hurting many people in communities all across America," he wrote in a note to employees. "Families are being separated, people are stranded overseas, and there's a growing fear the US is no longer a place that welcomes immigrants."

The move could put pressure on other CEOs expected to attend a meeting with Trump on Friday. General Motors Co. said its chief executive will attend, while Walt Disney Co. said earlier Thursday its chief executive would not attend because of a long-planned board meeting.

The White House was not immediately available for comment.

(Source: Reuters)