Moet Hennessy woes test Alexandre Arnault's credentials

Alexandre Arnault aims to lead luxury conglomerate LVMH, facing challenges in the spirits division amid tariff threats.

If successful, the 33-year old could gain a leg up in the closely watched succession contest among five siblings to lead the $280 billion luxury conglomerate headed by his father.

On Tuesday, Alexandre accompanied his father to Washington, where they attended the swearing-in of Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, broadcast on local channel Fox 5.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who greeted the pair among others at the White House, was heard in the broadcast referring to the younger Arnault as "the future" and a later meeting with them.

LVMH declined to comment on the meeting.

All five Arnault children hold management roles in the luxury empire which spans over 70 brands including fashion label Dior and jeweller Tiffany, though their 76-year-old father remains hands-on and has shown no sign of stepping down.

Delphine, 50, is CEO of Dior, while Antoine, 47, is head of group communications. Frederic, 30, recently took up the role of CEO of Loro Piana and Jeanne, 26, heads marketing for Louis Vuitton's watches business.

Mr. Alexandre, the third sibling, previously held a senior role at U.S. jeweller Tiffany, joining Moet Hennessy in February as deputy to new CEO Jean-Jacques Guiony, a trusted adviser to Bernard who was LVMH's finance chief for two decades.