SEATTLE, WA – Ahead of the U.S.-Australia World Cup match in Seattle tomorrow, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, hosted “Beyond the Pitch: Cooperation with Australia through Trade, Assistance, and Diplomacy.” The event highlighted how international trade, aid, and diplomacy can advance America’s interests in a critical region.

Featured speakers included Hon. Michael George DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; Hon. Cate Dillon, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State; Hon. Greg Moriarty AO, Ambassador of Australia to the United States; Antony Cook, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft; Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL-16); Mikaël Limpalaër, Head of Americas at AustralianSuper; Richard Parker, Senior Policy Advisor at USGLC; Chris Glynn, Senior Vice President of Transformational Engagement, World Vision; and Jacqueline Miller, President & CEO, World Affairs Council Seattle; USGLC Washington State Advisory Committee Member.

“These international events are not just celebrations of sports, they are strategic opportunities to deepen relationships with our partners overseas and leaders in American industry,” said Assistant Secretary Cate Dillon. “Sports is one of the most powerful tools we use to build these connections. They help us reach new audiences that traditional diplomacy cannot offer.”

“We’re very focused on commercial diplomacy… being an arm of American businesses overseas, helping them develop the markets, helping them sell their products, expand their offerings,” said Assistant Secretary Michael George DeSombre. “[And] using foreign assistance dollars to develop the economic resilience of our partner nations.”

“We cannot achieve a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region without the leadership of the United States,” said Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Greg Moriarty AO. “We need to see the ability to connect with people through sports and through other people-to-people relationships as a strategic advantage. And let’s not be cute about it, we are in a competition. We are competing globally for influence, and I think the United States brings incredible strengths to that competition.”

“There is no bigger, no better partner for the United States than Australia, and the role that they play in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL). “In many ways, the foundation of that is our shared values, rule of law, democracy, cultural things that we share with each other, free market systems that we have.”

“America’s role in the world is not abstract. It shows up in relationships, it shows up in partnerships, and it shows up in the steady work of diplomacy, and in these strategic investments that prevent crises, build stability, and open doors for opportunity,” said Jacqueline Miller, President & CEO, World Affairs Council Seattle; USGLC Washington State Advisory Committee Member.

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