The Commercial Diplomacy Initiative

Advancing National Interest And Supporting U.S. Firms Globally

The Commercial Diplomacy Initiative is dedicated to enabling a perpetual economic advantage for the United States and its allies and partners while preserving entrepreneurial principles and values.  

The foundation of our approach is the fostering of creative collaboration between the private sector, government, and academia in ways that promote decentralized and informal communication, connect diverse stakeholders, and nurture an increased understanding of each other's objectives, constraints, and resources. 

We invite you to participate in our upcoming events and initiatives and encourage you to connect with us to navigate the challenges and opportunities of our time. 

Jason Galui 
Executive Director

  • Event Spotlight

    Five Days in Dallas

    December 5-9, 2022 | In Collaboration with U.S. Diplomatic Studies Foundation

     

    The first "Five Days in Dallas to Advance Commercial Diplomacy" brought together leaders from the U.S. private sector and government together to creatively collaborate on how to tackle the transformational changes in geopolitical competition while keeping the American entrepreneurial spirit strong. Read more on the Five Days in Dallas to Advance Commercial Diplomacy.


     

    Five Days in Dallas - Commercial Diplomacy Event - Cox - 2

     

    “Attending the Five Day course is the first step in the discovery phase of how the Special Operations Community can better equip itself to respond to emerging threats by employing unconventional or irregular warfare tactics to secure the liberties we value so much." 


    Scott McCombs 
    Warrant Officer, U.S Army

     

     

      

    DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

    See Upcoming & Past Events

  • Get in Touch

    Want to support the initiative? Want to collaborate, or just share ideas over a cup of coffee?

    commercialdiplomacy@smu.edu

    Get in touch!


Ambassador David Miller
Sen Kay Bailey Hutchison and Amb Ron Kirk stand together in classroom
Dr Kathleen Cooper with Amb David Miller
Glenn Chafetz, Director 2430 Group
Sen Kay Bailey Hutchison and Amb Ron Kirk stand together in classroom
Commercial Diplomacy really involves every agency in the U.S. government that supports our private sector overseas. We need to compete more effectively, and we need to get folks together to learn about one other as they learn about the private sector. It’s only the country.

Ambassador David Miller

To be economically competitive, we must foster creative ways for our business and government leaders to engage. Businesses must know how to effectively connect with U.S. embassies and government leaders must be aware of American businesses operating in their country of assignment and be able to familiarize businesses with country regulations and issues.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

In our economic competition with China, the United States Government should encourage private investment but mainly through broad tax policy rather than an industrial policy approach.

Dr. Kathleen Cooper

Defending against foreign, state assisted commercial espionage is not a task the United State Government is equipped or even authorized to address. Certainly, government can do more, but success in protecting our IP requires cooperation and collaboration among the private sector, our universities, other research institutions, government, and our allies and partners.

Dr. Glenn Chafetz, Director, 2430 Group

Promotion of American business is everyone’s job whether in the private sector or government.

Ambassador Ron Kirk