As international business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum weigh slowing economic growth, Coca-Cola CEO and incoming Chairman James Quincey has another concern — uncertainty.
"I think that in a way, the biggest issue is not so much that we see a little less growth, but there's more uncertainty," Quincey said Wednesday in an interview with CNBC's "Worldwide Exchange" in Davos, Switzerland.
Quincey does agrees with other business titans in Davos, including Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman, that economic growth will slow this year, but he doesn't see that as a headwind just yet.
"There's been more volatility over the last couple years, so I think people are going into it going, 'OK, a little harder than last year,' but I feel a degree of uncertainty out there that you can't quite put your finger on," Quincey said.
One source of uncertainty is the U.S. and China trade war. The countries are trying to negotiate a deal before a 90-day tariff truce expires on March 2. But he said the effect on the beverage company is "slightly indirect" because its products for the China market are made there.
No matter what happens with the economy and global uncertainty, Quincey said the company will focus on keeping up with consumer tastes and solving problems like the sugar content of its drinks and reducing packaging waste.