Strategic Competition > Global Engagement
Strengthening Ties with the Americas
Advancing Shared Prosperity and Strategic Alignment
"The path to global strength begins with strong neighbors."
Mark Kennedy regularly visits neighbors in the Americas. Number of and most recent visits: Antigua 1x 2013, Brazil 12x 2020, Canada 10x 2023, Mexico 8x 2017
🔹 Strategic Context
- This page is part of WISC’s Strategic Competition framework, applying geoeconomic statecraft through the STEAD model — integrating Security, Technology, Economics, Alliances, and Diplomacy — to secure U.S. leadership across critical domains.
Why Strengthening Ties with the Americas Matters
The Americas are the United States' closest sphere of influence and its most underleveraged asset in global competition. Stronger hemispheric ties can anchor resilient supply chains, expand democratic digital governance, and reinforce regional stability.
Strategic Priorities for the Americas
- Preserve and strengthen USMCA, reinforcing features that prevent authoritarian coercion and ensure resilient regional trade.
- Deepen Canada-U.S. integration on critical minerals, AI governance, continental defense, and Arctic security.
- Advance U.S.-Mexico economic corridors, democratic governance, and workforce development.
- Expand U.S.-Brazil partnerships in infrastructure, energy, and digital standards.
- Strengthen regional development through trusted infrastructure and inclusive trade.
Insights & Engagements
🏛️ Engaging Administration or Congress, 📰 Op-Ed / Article / Quoted 🎙️ Podcast ✍️ Policy Brief 👥 Roundtable / Event 🎤 Speaking 🎥 TV/Video 🌐 Global
- 🎤 Competition for the Global South: Does the U.S. Have a Value Proposition? - Panelist at the U.S. Chamber China Business Conference - May 9, 2024
🇨🇦 Canada: Deepening a Model Alliance
Canada is America’s closest ally—militarily, economically, and culturally. Bilateral collaboration spans defense integration through NORAD, energy cooperation, and continental supply chain coordination. Strategic alignment on critical minerals, semiconductors, and clean technologies is essential to competing globally. Joint action on AI standards and democratic digital governance can further anchor North American leadership.
- Mark Kennedy has visited Canada 10 times, most recently in 2023.
Kennedy and then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at AI Action Summitt in Paris.
🇲🇽 Mexico: Anchoring North American Competitiveness
Mexico is vital to America’s economic future. From integrated manufacturing to cross-border innovation corridors, the U.S.-Mexico partnership underpins regional supply chain resilience. Supporting democratic governance, workforce development, and energy transition in Mexico strengthens the shared platform for reshoring industry and countering external dependencies.
- Mark Kennedy has visited Mexico 8 times, most recently in 2017.
- 👥 Awarding a Champion of Free Trade Award to Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the OECD and Bob Zoellick, former President of the World Bank - Economic Club of Minnesota - Aapril 19, 2017
- 🎤 Speech: Strengthening U.S. - Mexico Relations - American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City - November 13, 2015
Kennedy addressing the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City.
🇧🇷 Brazil: Partnering with a Democratic Powerhouse in the South
As Latin America’s largest economy and democracy, Brazil plays a central role in regional and global governance. U.S.-Brazil cooperation on climate, bioeconomy, energy, and technology holds transformative potential. Advancing shared priorities—from Amazon preservation to digital transparency—can deepen mutual trust and global influence.
- Mark Kennedy has visited Brazil 12 times, most recently in 2000. He has three grandchildren that were born in Brazil.
- 👥 Teaching Global Immersion Course in Brazil - George Washington University GSPM - March 2014
- Speech: Making Trends Friends - London Business School Alumni at Fundação Getulio Vargas - September 22, 2011
Kennedy with students from George Washington University's GSPM at Brazil's Capitol building in Brasilia.
🌎 A Hemisphere of Opportunity
The U.S. must broaden its engagement across the Americas by promoting inclusive trade, investing in digital and energy infrastructure, and countering malign influence. Latin America and the Caribbean are eager for reliable partners who offer dignity, not dependency. By leading with respect and results, the U.S. can strengthen hemispheric bonds for generations to come.
Kennedy with Roberto Izurieta of the Inter-American Development Bank (2nd from right) and Soledad Peña Plaza (center), Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Ecuador to the U.S.
👉 Related Pages
🔷 Featured Insights
Critiquing Tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico - Interview on NewsNation TV with Connell McShane - March 4, 2025
Speech: Path Forward for USMCA - Hope Binational Fellowship - May 24, 2023
China's Ties to Honduras Show Its Increasing Influence - Interview on NewsNation TV - March 27, 2023
Strategic competition calls for strengthening trade in the Americas - Op-Ed in The Hill with Anders Beal - January 21, 2023
Effectively Engaging Shapeholders Speech - Brasilia, Brazil - August 1, 2017 - Hosted by the Brazilian Association of Institutional and Governmental Relations (Abrig) and the National Confederation of Industry (CNI)
Awarding a Champion of Free Trade Award to Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the OECD and Bob Zoellick, former President of the World Bank - Economic Club of Minnesota - Aapril 19, 2017