Geopolitical Bargaining Chips in a New Global Economy

This conversation was part of the 2025 Meridian Summit: Shaping Geopolitical Futures.

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Today’s strategic advantage is being redefined by a handful of interlocking assets—energy, AI infrastructure, secure data, and digital currencies—and by the policy choices that shape how those assets flow across borders. This was a central theme in a panel discussion featuring Jarrod Agen, Deputy Assistant to the President and Executive Director, National Energy Dominance Council; Nicole Isaac, Vice President - Global Public Policy, Cisco; Summer Mersinger, CEO, Blockchain Association; and moderated by Jessica Dean of CNN. Panelists described a world in which LNG exports, resilient and modern electricity grids, datacenters, and dollar-backed stablecoins are not just commercial issues but core instruments of statecraft. Private-sector leaders heard a clear message: commercial strategy must now align with national energy policy, export controls, and global infrastructure planning if companies want reliable access to AI scale and the markets that depend on it. 

Here are the Top Takeaways from the Program:

1. ENERGY AND AI DRIVE STRATEGIC POWER

Energy and AI have become inseparable pillars of strategic leverage. Agen emphasized that “energy is the coolest thing on the planet because energy is essential to all of the great tech developments happening with AI.” The convergence of energy availability, grid stability, and AI infrastructure is reshaping diplomacy and commerce alike. Isaac stressed the “need to generate the power we need to fulfill the data centers and AI but not pull from the consumer.” In this context, data centers have emerged as national infrastructure critical to AI deployment, requiring concentrated computing, secure data flows, and abundant electricity. Isaac added that “where data is stored matters,” with cloud-based, secure architectures offering scalability and security at national scale. Together, control over energy and data confers outsized influence in the emerging global economy and statecraft. 

2. OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO UNLOCKING U.S. LNG

U.S. gas exports are in high demand as allies seek to reduce Russian dependence and serve as a critical example of how infrastructure investment and regulatory reform directly impact strategic energy exports. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports have become both an economic opportunity and a tool of geopolitical partnership. However, the ability to capitalize on this potential hinges on overcoming significant bottlenecks such as slow permitting processes, inadequate port and pipeline infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainty.  Streamlining these processes and investing in modernized energy infrastructure are essential steps to expand export capacity efficiently and sustainably. 

3. STABLECOINS WIDEN MARKET ACCESS, IF DOLLAR-BACKED 

Digital currencies—particularly stablecoins—are strategic tools reshaping financial inclusion and global trade. Dollar-pegged tokens can rapidly onboard emerging economies into global finance and offer immediate access to U.S. dollar liquidity and a pathway into global payments and trade. Mersinger noting that “we had the president signed the GENIUS Act into law a few months ago and that really provided the clarity we needed to make sure that stablecoins continue to be issued with that US dollar backing,” maintaining U.S. leadership in digital assets to ensure innovators don’t relocate to more favorable jurisdictions. Besides financial implications, there are promising innovations where blockchain infrastructure could stabilize energy grids when aligned with renewables, enriching the nexus of technology and sustainability. 

Next Steps:

To advance strategic asset management, private-sector leaders should accelerate partnerships with energy producers and grid operators to secure reliable and affordable power. Active engagement in public-private consortia is critical to drive permitting reform and infrastructure investment that expands energy exports, including U.S. LNG, and supports resilient AI data centers. Companies must adopt secure, cloud-native data architectures that balance sovereignty with scalability. Additionally, leveraging digital currencies within clear regulatory frameworks will expand financial inclusion and fortify U.S. leadership in digital assets. Policymakers must next look to codify recent executive reforms to streamline approvals, ensure permitting certainty, and incentivize infrastructure upgrades. Organizations that integrate energy, data, and policy collaboration with strategic foresight will be best positioned to wield influence and maintain competitiveness in the evolving global economy.