China’s economy is slowing. Amid weak borrowing, slack investment, deflationary pressures and uneven growth, the evidence points to China slipping into a "balance sheet recession"—a phenomenon our guest, Richard Koo, first diagnosed during Japan’s lost decades of the 90s, and then identified in the financial crises of both Europe and the U.S.

The former New York Fed official, who has consulted governments and testified in the U.S. congress, spent decades analyzing how economies recover—or fail to recover—from balance sheet recessions. Koo explores what China must do to avoid stagnation, and lay out the stakes for global markets, trade, and investment.

The Call is brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Intelligence Desk.

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Ukraine is at a pivotal moment. As Great Powers seek to resolve the conflict, and vie for influence, questions are surfacing over what level of commitment—military, economic, and strategic—will be required to secure Ukraine’s future. Those questions have broader implications for both Europe and the global balance of power and ultimately will help shape trade and investment across strategic domains.

Our guest, General David Petraeus (Ret.), brings unparalleled insight into the evolving geopolitical landscape. Between 2001 and 2021, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan were a primary economic and military focus of the United States. At the time, General Petraeus was one of the most senior U.S. military leaders involved in those wars and he shares his unique insights into the risks – and opportunities – that will emerge should the Ukraine war come to a negotiated settlement, and Kyiv begins rebuilding.

The Call is brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Intelligence Desk.

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The global landscape is undergoing profound shifts. The era of a U.S.-led, rules-based order is fading. In its place, we see a world driven by raw power, strategic rivalry, and shifting alliances—where military strength, economic leverage, and geopolitical maneuvering define who gets a seat at the table.

This episode's guest, SAIS’s Hal Brands, sees the Trump administration as likely to attempt a grand reset with Moscow, hoping to break Russia from its growing alignment with China. But will this gamble pay off, or will it only push Moscow and Beijing closer together? And what does this new world—in which success is determined by power—mean for businesses, global trade, and economic security?

The Call is brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Intelligence Desk.

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The dynamics of the war in Ukraine, after three years of stalemate, are showing signs of shifting. The Trump administration is pursuing direct negotiations with Russia. European leaders are meeting amongst themselves and clashing over whether to send in troops. Ukraine says it will not recognize any negotiations that do not include Kyiv. All this comes after the conflict reshaped assumptions over global power and triggered the largest surge in defense spending since the Cold War. Global military budgets soared to $2.46 trillion last year alone, a 7.4% increase, as nations rushed to fortify their defenses. The stakes for global security have never been higher.

The Global Intelligence Desk is pleased to welcome Dr. Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), one of the leading voices in transatlantic security, as we unpack the key takeaways from the Munich Security Conference, the latest shifts in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, and what these developments mean for global power dynamics and the future of international security.

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The Munich Security Conference kicks off in Germany this Friday amid tensions on both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, defense priorities are shifting with a new U.S. administration and upcoming elections in Germany and the European Union. Many items are on the agenda, but the conference will conclude with a discussion on Europe’s role in the world.

We are joined by Keith Webster, Vice President at the Chamber, and President of the Defense and Aerospace Council and Federal Acquisition Council, calling in from Munich ahead of the Munich Security Conference. Webster will share his expectations for the meeting, key security challenges and how they relate to actionable insights for business, and how the U.S. and its allies are navigating these challenges as well as what lies ahead for transatlantic defense and economic security.

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Colombia stands at a critical economic juncture. Amid political uncertainty, shifting trade relations, security concerns and an ambitious energy transition, credit rating agencies are watching Colombia's fiscal health. A dispute with the U.S. over migrants and tariffs was resolved quickly, but focused attention on the bi-lateral relationship.

Bogota’s policies on fossil fuel dependency, taxation, and investment are shaping the nation’s trajectory, while global factors—ranging from a strong U.S. dollar to geopolitical shifts—add further complexity.

For this timely discussion, The Global Intelligence Desk is excited to host Juan Daniel Oviedo, an economist and former Director of Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). As a leading voice on economic policy and regulatory frameworks, Oviedo shares insights on how Colombia can navigate this moment and seize opportunities for growth.

The Call is brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Intelligence Desk.

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European unity is being put to the test. Across the continent, the Ukraine war is straining resources and defense capabilities. Tech regulation is a source of tension and debate. A populist backlash against migrants is roiling politics. And transatlantic relations are evolving amid rising competition with China.

Europe has survived in recent decades through trade, and through a reliance on cheap Russian energy, all while outsourcing much of its security. But, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at Davos last week, “those days are long gone.” Now, as differences emerge over how best to address Europe’s challenges, a question looms over the continent’s businesses and policymakers: How united is the European Union?

For this timely discussion, The U.S. Chamber's Global Intelligence Desk is delighted to host Dr. Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, the acting President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. A leading voice in European and transatlantic affairs, Dr. de Hoop Scheffer provides key insights into how Europe is managing an increasingly restive voter base and a struggling economy.

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The U.S. will face a slew of foreign policy issues that will require attention in the months and years ahead: a weakened Iran in the Middle East, an economically struggling China, an expiring nuclear arms deal with Russia, a prolonged war in Ukraine, and a long list of economic issues involving friends and rivals alike.   

These challenges, and geopolitics in general, are rising to the top of the agenda of any U.S. business operating across borders.

For 2025’s first episode of The Call, the Global Intelligence Desk is delighted to host an extended, live conversation with Richard Haass, President Emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Haass, a former senior advisor to the U.S. State Department and author of the weekly newsletter, Home & Away, helps us explore the dynamics shaping the debate over the future of U.S. foreign policy. 

The Call is brought to you by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Intelligence Desk.

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