AutoVerdict
Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford has cancelled a planned, multi-stop trip to the Middle East. The trip included a stop in Saudi Arabia for the upcoming Future Investment Initiative. Ford’s cancellation joins a growing list of participants cancelling their visit over the recent disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Thus far Ford has not offered an official reason for the cancellation of his visit, including whether or not it has anything to do with the disappearance of Khashoggi. Other executives, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon, Viacom Inc. CEO Bob Bakish and Uber Technologies Inc. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi have also cancelled their visits. The New York Times has also pulled out of the conference; despite being a key sponsor.
CNN and other news outlets have also announced planned to avoid the annual conference.
The U.S. government has stated it is investigating the disappearance of Khashoggi, who disappeared in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey. Thus far the Saudi government has offered few answers other than to say they were not involved.
