Alibaba's Ma talks job creation with Trump

Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma met with Donald Trump on Monday to discuss how the online retailer could help create one million new US jobs, keying in on one of the president-elect’s chief concerns amid fraught relations between China and the incoming administration. According to Bloomberg, the Chinese e-commerce giant said the positions would be generated through Alibaba adding one million small and medium-sized US businesses to its platforms, estimating that each one will hire a new person as a result of the added commerce. Ma’s 40-minute sit-down comes after Trump has called for high tariffs on trade with China, accused the country of stealing jobs from Americans and incited political controversy by reaching out to Taiwan. Alibaba shares rose 0.9% to $94.72 at the close in New York. The stock gained 8 percent last year.