Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent Criticizes U.S. Travel Ban

By Jennifer Maloney

Coca-Cola Co.'s Muhtar Kent joined the ranks of U.S. chief executives speaking out Monday against President Donald Trump's executive order restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Mr. Kent, who is Turkish-American, said the soda giant "is resolute in its commitment to diversity, fairness and inclusion, and we do not support this travel ban or any policy that is contrary to our core values and beliefs."

"As a U.S. company that has operations in more than 200 countries and territories, we respect people from all backgrounds," he said in an emailed statement. The Atlanta-based company is still assessing the ban's effect on its employees, he added.

Mr. Kent was born in New York City and as the son of a Turkish diplomat was raised in Thailand, India, Iran and Turkey. He speaks several languages including Turkish, French and Italian. He plans to step aside as Coke's CEO in May and continue as the company's chairman.

Write to Jennifer Maloney at jennifer.maloney@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 30, 2017 20:27 ET (01:27 GMT)

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