America First, World Second? The Future of US Global Leadership

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Julián Ventura and Suzanne Nossel explore how nations worldwide are recalibrating their strategies in response to America's changing approach to foreign policy.

President Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate on November 14, 2024.

Alex Brandon / AP

Speakers

Julián Ventura
Suzanne Nossel
Leslie Vinjamuri

Event Date

September 18, 2025

About This Event

Donald Trump's return to the presidency has brought his "America First" approach back to the forefront of US foreign policy. This shift is prompting countries to reassess their relationships with Washington, from trade partnerships to security alliances, as the administration increasingly favors bilateral deals over the international frameworks that have long shaped global governance. How are major powers and allies adapting to this change in American strategy? What does this mean for US global leadership and international cooperation? Join us for a conversation with Julián Ventura, Suzanne Nossel, and Leslie Vinjamuri as they examine how countries are navigating this evolving landscape. We are especially pleased to welcome Ventura and Nossel as newly appointed nonresident fellows, joining the Council’s roster of esteemed experts and contributing to our thought leadership, programming, and research.

About the Speakers

Julián Ventura

Nonresident Distinguished Fellow, Latin America and the Global Economy

Julián Ventura is a senior advisor at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group. With over 30 years of diplomatic experience across four Mexican administrations, he most recently served as deputy secretary of foreign relations, overseeing relationships in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while leading Mexico's G-20 negotiations.

Suzanne Nossel

Lester Crown Nonresident Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy and International Order

Suzanne Nossel, principal of Smart Power Strategies and a leading voice on free expression issues, stepped down at the end of 2024 as CEO of PEN America. She is the author of "Dare to Speak" (2020) and "Is Free Speech Under Threat" (2024) and serves on Meta's global oversight board. She previously held roles at Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International USA, and at the State Department.

Leslie Vinjamuri

President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.