SPOKANE, WA – Today, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) hosted a conversation with Representative Michael Baumgartner (R-WA-05), “America and the World: How Eastern Washington Wins,” bringing together almost 100 veteran, business, community, farmer, and faith leaders in Spokane, and more than 7K viewers tuning in online. Rep. Baumgartner was joined by Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Vice Admiral Mike LeFever, U.S. Navy (Ret.) for a timely discussion on how America’s role in the world directly impacts Washington’s economy, security, and global competitiveness.

Washington’s economy is deeply connected to the global marketplace, with exports generating over $61 billion last year and supporting more than 931,000 jobs. With iconic companies like Boeing, Microsoft, and Starbucks headquartered in the state—and agricultural goods shipped through Seattle’s bustling ports—Washington has a clear stake in America’s international engagement.

Rep. Baumgartner underscored the positive impact of American leadership in international assistance: “I think the best thing that America has done, from an altruistic standpoint, in the last 20 years is the PEPFAR program…under President Bush’s leadership, that has just saved a lot of lives… And my early indications from Secretary Rubio and the administration…obviously there’s a lot of high profile and political stuff going on, but they fundamentally understand the need for foreign assistance as well.”

Drawing from decades of diplomatic experience, Ambassador Crocker reflected on the value and necessity of investing in diplomacy: “Diplomacy really counts, and diplomacy done right can lessen your need for reliance on defense. If you do have to rely on military force, diplomacy helps make those operations smoother, easier and less costly in blood and in treasure. I grew up instilled with that defense imperative and that is a core element of life here in eastern Washington.”

Vice Admiral LeFever on the importance of civilian-led tools as a complement to our national security: “We have an acronym that’s called DIME — diplomatic, information, military and economic — that are the real powers of what the U.S. can do to influence the world with military being the last one you’d like to use…watching the impact of winning hearts and minds and seeing what international aid can do was far more impactful in the areas that I served with…to be able to fund and influence to provide economic security for areas that need that development in order to suppress extremism…was so powerful and so important.”

“Representative Baumgartner knows what’s at stake when America doesn’t lead,” said Luke Wenz, Deputy National Outreach Director for the West and Military. “From farms to factories to Eastern Washington’s apple producers and larger agricultural community, Washington’s economy depends on strong global partnerships—and events like today’s make clear just how critical smart foreign policy is to the state and our country.”

Watch the full event here.