EXPO REAL Would European real estate industry vote Trump?

'I'd like to remind you of the fact that Trump was a real estate person,' Lorenz Reibling, chairman and senior partner, Taurus Investment Holdings (Boston) told delegates at a panel discussing the cyclical nature of real estate investments.

'We should be proud of the fact that a real estate person might become president. America is the land of opportunity. Anyone can dream of becoming President. In fact,' he quipped, ‘an elephant or a donkey could become President of the USA.’

Commented Gertrude R Traud, chief economist and head of research, Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen: 'Back in the 1980s, I was working in the US. "Buy American" was a thing back then. Trump is trying to bring that back – but the situation isn't so different today. While the markets would prefer a democrat, I'm not actually worried if Trump gets in. Once someone gets in a responsible position they can't always do exactly what they want or what they promised,' said Traud. 'When Reagan came to power everyone said – we've elected a cowboy! The economy is going to tank!  Of course, the 1980s proved to be the US' most profitable decade so I don't think we need to worry. My biggest concern would be a potential trade war with China.'

'If Trump becomes President, corporate tax would go down, they would follow the Irish model and this would have an impact on the business world. If Trump becomes president  shares will go up and real estate is likely to be affected,' added Reibling.

'I would vote for Trump,' said Max Otte, economist and founder, IFVE Institut fur Vermogensentwicklung.

'I  would never do business with him, but he is an opportunity for long lasting peace. He has said he wants to find a way to get along with Putin long term. Up until now, the US has always stirred up feelings against the Russians even in times of peace. So Trump could change all that,' Otte concluded.