U.S. Economic Statecraft in a Realigned World

A livestream of the conversation will begin here at 2:15pm ET on Tuesday, September 15.
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The global economy has entered a period of fundamental realignment. As the Trump administration deploys tariffs to reshape trading relationships and redefine economic alliances, policymakers worldwide are adapting to a new reality in which economic security and national security have become inseparable. At the forefront of this effort are America’s tools of positive economic power – the institutions that are already mobilizing U.S. public and private capital, financing critical infrastructure, and expanding trade relationships. Yet new capabilities are essential, including coordinated interagency economic packages designed to stabilize transitioning regimes in countries such as Venezuela, and potentially Iran and Cuba – with clear guardrails to ensure that U.S. economic engagement advances strategic objectives without compromising American values or long-term interests.

How is positive economic power evolving in response to the current moment? How can the responsible agencies complement sanctions and export controls, and more seamlessly integrate their responses? And what tools and capacities does the United States need to deploy economic power effectively?

To discuss the evolving architecture of American economic statecraft, please join FDD for a fireside chat with Ben Black, CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government; National Security and International Trade and Finance; and State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development. The conversation will be moderated by Elaine Dezenski, senior director and head of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power, with introductory remarks by Daniel Swift, senior research analyst at FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) is chairman of the Senate subcommittees on Financial Services and General Government; National Security and International Trade and Finance; and State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development. Prior to the Senate, Sen. Hagerty served as the U.S. ambassador to Japan from 2017-2019, and as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development from 2011 to 2014. He was also an economic advisor and White House fellow under President George H.W. Bush.

Ben Black

Ben Black serves as chief executive officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Prior to DFC, he was founder and managing partner of Fortinbras Enterprises LP, senior portfolio manager at Knowledge Universe Holdings, in private equity at Apollo Global Management, and an attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell. He is a former member of the Advisory Board at Harvard’s Center for Public Leadership, served on the Global Advisory Council of the Woodrow Wilson Center, and has been a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Elaine Dezenski

Elaine Dezenski serves as senior director and head of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power. She is an expert on geopolitical risk, economic statecraft, supply chain resilience, illicit finance, and anti-corruption. She served in senior roles at the World Economic Forum, Interpol, and Cross Match Technologies. She served as deputy and acting assistant secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security and head of its office of Cargo and Trade Policy. She is co-author of the book Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Daniel Swift

Daniel Swift is a senior research analyst at FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power. Prior to FDD, he led Prosper Africa, a presidential-level national security initiative increasing trade and investment between the United States and Africa. He’s served as a U.S. diplomat in Washington, Jordan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. He helped establish USAID’s Office of the Chief Economist, ran the U.S. government’s largest assistance program, helped reestablish U.S. government programs in Rangoon, and supported the establishment of Development Innovation Ventures.