General Keith Alexander, General Laura Richardson, Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), Business Leaders Tackle Global Threats, Technology, and Economic Stakes at USGLC Impact Forum with nearly 500 State Leaders

WASHINGTON – As the global threats facing the U.S. accelerate and grow, today, the USGLC released a new marquee report: “Economic Security is National Security” highlighting three critical opportunities for policymakers:

• Integrating Economic Security and National Security
• Unleashing America’s Global Economic Tools
• Focusing on Competitiveness and Economic Growth

Get the full report here: https://www.usglc.org/global-economic-hub/

During a high-profile plenary session at the USGLC’s Impact Forum, military and business leaders alongside policymakers from Capitol Hill and the White House discussed a range of critical issues, including the threats from China and Russia, U.S. economic statecraft, the technology and artificial intelligence race, and the increasing convergence of U.S. economic and national security on the global stage. Top quotes are below.

Tomorrow, nearly 500 USGLC state leaders will be on Capitol Hill urging Congress to invest in America’s full diplomatic and international assistance toolkit to protect America’s national interests and ensure America can win in the world.

Key Highlights from the Report:

• Economic security is national security. America’s leadership and prosperity in the 21st century will depend on whether the U.S. can leverage its global economic strengths to compete and win. Today, China has more embassies and missions globally than the United States and it is projected to increase its diplomatic budget by 8.4% this year.
• America needs an economic security playbook that is integrated with U.S. national security goals. With our rivals racing to outcompete us, particularly in the technology and AI space, America must use – or risk losing – its global security and economic advantage.
• Securing America’s place as the world’s leading economy is the foundation of our national power and the key to advancing U.S. interests globally. This means actively leveraging our diplomatic capabilities at the State Department to shape an economic environment where American businesses and workers can compete, innovate, and win in global markets.

Top Quotes from the Report Launch:

Rep. Young Kim (R-CA), Chair, East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, House Foreign Affairs Committee

“Economic security is national security, and America’s interests must be at the forefront of our foreign policy to restore U.S. global leadership. As the House Foreign Affairs Committee works to reauthorize the State Department, we need to ensure the Department can help American businesses access markets and stand against predatory foreign competition. I appreciate USGLC’s work and look forward to continuing our important work to advance U.S. leadership at home and abroad.”

Brian Cavanaugh, Associate Director, Homeland Security, White House Office of Management and Budget

“Through the nexus of economic security, which I really like about this report, is looking at national security. Through economic security is where we can start having meaningful conversations with not just countries, but industry around the world on how we want to approach what an economic offensive posture looks like.”

General Keith Alexander (U.S. Army, Ret.), Director, National Security Agency (2005-2014)

“As we go forward in the future contest, it can’t be just the military. What are the other elements of national power?… The one that I think has been missing is our economic power… the publication that you’ve put out helps set that framework for where we need to go… We’re an innovation nation… when you look at the technology, that’s a place where ‘first place’ gets 10 times as much as ‘second place’… we have to have a plan between the public and private sectors.”

General Laura Richardson (U.S. Army, Ret.), U.S. SOUTHCOM Commander (2021-2024)

“We’ve got to have our jersey on from Team USA… working with the countries in the globe… If we can get our strategies aligned – national security and economic – with the embassies and our ground game, it just makes America safer, makes us stronger, makes us more prosperous, but also our allies and partners more prosperous as well.”

John Murphy, Senior Vice President, Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“Forty million American jobs depend on trade… 95% of the people that we want to sell something to live outside our borders… America needs to be there with our diplomacy and development and our trade negotiators to make sure that American companies are participating… Our prosperity depends on it.”

Chris Clement, Senior Fellow for Economic Security (Non-Resident), USGLC

“America’s economic security and national security are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. America needs an economic security playbook that is integrated with U.S. national security goals. This report reframes our economic leadership around the world as a frontline national security issue. If the U.S. wants to stay ahead, we need to go on offense and use every tool in our foreign policy arsenal – not just play defense.”

Arrow Augerot, Director of International Policy, Americas, Amazon

“American-led digital innovation, including the development and use of artificial intelligence, is a core and critical extension of U.S. economic and national security. It is foundational to our ability to counter foreign threats and defend both American interests and values and those of our allies around the world… As USGLC’s Economic Security report highlights, maintaining America’s edge will require decisive action to support American companies open markets and shape global standards.”

Liz Schrayer, President and CEO, USGLC

“This is how America wins: by showing up, leading with strength, and getting our full team on the playing field. Congress faces a clear choice – and proposed cuts to the State Department and international assistance resources would hand our rivals a field day. We need to reform, not retreat, in order to keep America as the number one economy in the world.”