Global Briefing Examines U.S. Foreign Policy with U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

As the world contends with intensifying geopolitical shocks— trade, technology, security, and global economic competitiveness —Meridian International Center convened global affairs professionals, diplomats, and business leaders on May 2 for a timely Global Business Briefing with Mr. Chris Socha, Staff Director (Majority), U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Ms. Naz Durakoğlu, Staff Director (Minority), U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The conversation offered a rare, bipartisan look at how the second Trump administration would reshape America’s global engagement—and what the private sector and allies abroad should anticipate now. 

These Were the Top Takeaways from the Program:

1. Trump’s Foreign Policy Is the New GOP Status Quo

Republican foreign policy has undergone a lasting transformation. The traditional interventionist consensus has eroded, replaced by a worldview grounded in America First priorities: reduced foreign commitments, transactional alliances, and economic self-reliance. This shift is no longer hypothetical—it is codified in the priorities of rising GOP lawmakers. For global firms and diplomatic stakeholders, recalibrating engagement strategies around this new doctrine is imperative. 

2. Economic Nationalism and Strategic Retrenchment Are Now Core Doctrine 

Far from being rhetorical outliers, ideas like protectionism, foreign aid skepticism, and withdrawal from multilateral institutions are increasingly central to U.S. foreign policy. With the expectation that future Republican leadership will likely double down on trade barriers and a narrower definition of U.S. interests abroad, companies with global footprints should anticipate more regulatory volatility and seek early alignment with U.S. industrial policy goals, particularly in sectors tied to defense, energy, and critical technology. 

3. Syria Signals a Potential Middle East Recalibration

Syria may represent the next frontier for U.S. strategic engagement in the Middle East. Despite domestic fatigue around regional conflicts, there is bipartisan interest in leveraging Syria policy to constrain Iranian influence and enhance regional trade corridors. This could mean a return to phased sanctions relief and tactical reengagement, particularly if regional allies support burden-sharing. For private and public sector actors, understanding Syria’s role within the broader U.S. strategy will be key to navigating evolving security and investment landscapes. 

4. U.S. Eyes Indo-Pacific as Ground Zero for Strategic Competition

The Indo-Pacific region—especially Taiwan and the South China Sea—remains the central theater for long-term U.S. foreign policy. There appears to be a broad consensus on the need for greater military coordination and stronger economic ties with partners like Japan and the Philippines. A major takeaway: resilience in supply chains is now national security policy. Whether through reshoring, friend-shoring, or decoupling from China, the U.S. will likely pursue aggressive economic tools to mitigate risk.

5. Global Health Insecurity Is a Frontline Foreign Policy Issue

Central to the administration’s foreign policy agenda has been the reduction of U.S. foreign aid abroad. The scale of disruption caused by the abrupt stop-work orders is already demonstrating its impact as clinics, warehouses, and infrastructure that supports global health programs are shut down. The potential national security issue lies with diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS that could grow resistant to treatments as patients are no longer able to receive regular doses or life-saving care. This is something to pay attention to as the consequences of inaction or abrupt disruption in global health programs don’t stay overseas. It was also emphasized that the current administration is moving away from traditional aid-based engagement in many emerging markets, instead prioritizing efforts to improve the investment climate and foster conditions conducive to trade and private sector-led growth. 

Project summary

Global Briefing Examines U.S. Foreign Policy with U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations