Rubio convenes economic diplomacy group to align trade policy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is convening the first meeting of the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG) to integrate economic and technology policy with foreign policy objectives. Established in June 2024, the cross-agency group focuses on advancing AI leadership and supporting U.S. business interests globally. This move expands Rubio's influence in the Trump administration, where he also serves as acting national security adviser.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will convene the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG) for its first meeting on Wednesday, aiming to align trade, finance, development, and technology policy with U.S. foreign policy goals. The group seeks to shape the contours of U.S. economic statecraft and advance American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). By coordinating government programs, the EDAG intends to create economic conditions that support U.S. companies, generate jobs for American workers, and attract investment into the United States.
EDAG Targets AI and Economic Statecraft
A State Department official stated that the EDAG will leverage the full range of U.S. government programs to enable economic opportunities that align with foreign policy priorities. The official emphasized that the group's focus includes maintaining American leadership in AI. The State Department’s public schedule lists Rubio delivering remarks at the EDAG meeting at 9 am ET on Wednesday.
Cross-Agency Coordination
The EDAG was established by former President Joe Biden in a June 2024 memorandum under the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019. The Federal Register notice identified supporting U.S. economic and business interests abroad as a foreign policy priority and directed the Secretary of State to coordinate senior officials across various agencies.
The group includes officials from the following departments and agencies:
| Department / Agency |
|---|
| State Department |
| Commerce Department |
| Energy Department |
| Agriculture Department |
| Defense Department |
| Treasury Department |
| Office of the U.S. Trade Representative |
| Export-Import Bank |
| Development Finance Corporation |
| U.S. Trade and Development Agency |
| Small Business Administration |
| Millennium Challenge Corporation |
| White House Office of Science and Technology Policy |
Rubio Expands Role in Trump Policy
Rubio’s leadership of the EDAG aligns with his broader effort to position the State Department at the center of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. Reuters reported that Rubio told State Department staff in January last year that the department must move "at the speed of relevance" and be at the core of policy formulation. The meeting occurs as the Trump administration proposes new tariffs on imports from 60 economies, citing forced-labor concerns, highlighting the increasing intersection of trade policy and diplomacy.
Rubio currently holds multiple roles within the administration, including acting national security adviser, USAID administrator, and acting archivist. A Reuters report noted that he is the first person since Henry Kissinger to hold the Secretary of State and national security adviser roles simultaneously.
How will the EDAG's strategy to maintain American leadership in AI specifically address competition from China?
What specific economic conditions or incentives will the group prioritize to attract foreign direct investment into the U.S.?
How will the coordination between the State Department and the Treasury Department influence the enforcement of proposed new tariffs?
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