7th Annual Economic & Trade Counselors Reception

Far from the headlines, with a quiet determination, economic and trade counselors play a pivotal role in fostering international cooperation and cultivating connections between the U.S. private sector and their home countries. They help demystify markets and open doors that otherwise might remain closed. They provide context, credibility, and continuity in a world where business cycles move fast, and geopolitics move faster.  

On July 16, 2025, the Meridian Center for Corporate Diplomacy and the Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement hosted the 7th Annual Economic and Trade Counselors Reception, convening a mix of senior economic and trade diplomats, business leaders, and policymakers to celebrate their critical contributions to strengthening global economic partnerships and advancing mutual prosperity. 

Economic engagement now drives how nations forge strategic alliances and unlock new markets. Through trade, investment, and innovation, countries are building lasting partnerships that can weather political storms and high volatility. At the head of this work are economic and trade counselors, who serve as key architects of collaboration between their home countries and ours. Economic and trade counselors foster economic relationships that create jobs, open doors for business, and strengthen supply chains to keep the global economic system moving. 

As Meridian continues to expand its role as a convener of cross-sector dialogue, events like this reception underscore the enduring value of economic diplomacy in advancing international cooperation.