The State Department's Role in U.S. Foreign Economic Policy

Under Secretary Robert D. Hormats speaks with Burkle Center Director Kal Raustiala about U.S. foreign economic policy. The discussion includes issues from trade and agriculture, to bilateral relations with America's economic partners and the growing role of emerging markets like China, India, Brazil and other smaller nations, where the U.S. has enormous export and investment opportunities, along with prospects for major new partnerships.

Robert D. Hormats is the Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs. He was appointed to the position in 2009 and was sworn in on September 23rd, 2009. Hormats was previously the vice chairman of Goldman Sachs (International), which he joined in 1982. He also served as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs from 1981-1982. In addition, he held the positions of Ambassador and Deputy U.S. Trade Representative from 1979-1981 and Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs at the Department of State from 1977-1979. He served as a senior staff member for International Economic Affairs on the National Security Council from 1969-1977, where he was the senior economic advisor to Henry Kissinger, General Brent Scowcroft, and Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski.