> the president of a country advertising the products of a private company
I think you're inventing new norms. It has never been unusual or interesting for the president of a country to do PR for some company in their country that has hit a rough patch (as long as this isn't a legal rough patch.)
Most of what our diplomats do is sell US products to other countries. They certainly have always played favorites.
> How can this ever be acceptable?
The horror. What if he says that he's going to Burger King?
I think you're inventing new norms. It has never been unusual or interesting for the president of a country to do PR for some company in their country that has hit a rough patch (as long as this isn't a legal rough patch.)
Most of what our diplomats do is sell US products to other countries. They certainly have always played favorites.
> How can this ever be acceptable?
The horror. What if he says that he's going to Burger King?