For anyone entering 2025 wondering — or worrying — how to engage with a reinstalled Trump Administration, the playbook already exists. It was written eight years ago.
Regardless of a country’s relationship with Washington, those seeking to strengthen diplomatic ties in the U.S. must think beyond Pennsylvania Avenue.
As a mayor and a public diplomacy advisor, we’ve worked with leaders on every continent over the past decade to build U.S.-international connections, trusted relationships, and collaborations around shared values. Time and again, we’ve seen that those who engage early, consistently, and across all levels of government lay the groundwork for the strongest relationships.
Governors, mayors, and even business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges aren’t just complementary to traditional diplomacy — they’re essential to modernizing global relations and shaping effective policies.
After the surprise of Donald Trump’s 2016 election, governments worldwide entered a months-long diplomatic hibernation, uncertain how to engage with the unorthodox businessman-turned-president. That pause proved costly, delaying agenda-setting action right when it is most critical at the start of an administration. There’s no time for hesitation in 2025.
Capitals like Mexico City, Ottawa, and Copenhagen — frequent targets of Trump’s rhetoric — have already staked out public positions on trade tariffs and territorial disputes. But countries aiming to deepen ties with the U.S. during Trump 2.0 must look beyond the White House and embrace a subnational diplomatic strategy.
At the same time, the U.S., under Trump’s renewed "America First" agenda, should invest in subnational diplomacy as a critical tool. State and local leaders are often the most powerful connectors and communicators, capable of creating durable international relationships.
Mayors, in particular, are uniquely positioned to lead this charge. Above politics, mayors are pragmatists who are laser-focused on solving immediate, tangible problems. They understand the pulse of their communities, prioritizing action over ideology to deliver results on issues that directly affect people’s daily lives.
They operate at the most responsive level of government, focusing on practical, nonpartisan solutions. Road projects are not Republican. Park renovations are not Democratic. And attracting businesses or creating jobs benefits everyone.
When mayors come together to tackle shared challenges, they forge alliances that transcend partisanship—and these alliances often serve as the training ground for future national leaders. (Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first elected position was city commissioner of West Miami.)
Economic ties are especially fertile ground for subnational diplomacy. Countries and businesses that engage with U.S. mayors and governors today can build coalitions of local leaders who will advocate for mutually beneficial policies in Washington tomorrow.
Take Oregon, home to global footwear giants Nike and Adidas. Both companies depend on complex international supply chains, showcasing how local economies are deeply intertwined with global networks. Engaging with state and local leaders in Oregon highlights the critical role of local partnerships in navigating and strengthening these connections.
Policies from the Trump Administration that disrupt trade could threaten local jobs. While the Embassy of Germany should continue its dialogue with the Commerce Department and White House, it would be equally wise to engage Oregon’s local and state leaders, fostering alliances to amplify shared economic interests. These local partnerships can create powerful stories that resonate at the national level — and influence decision-makers in the Trump administration.
The European Union offers a compelling model for this approach from Trump 1.0. In 2016, the EU launched a $3 million public diplomacy initiative across the U.S., engaging American audiences on issues from trade and technology to energy and human rights.
They met with mayors, governors, state legislators, and business leaders — educating new communities and galvanizing local champions to advocate for transatlantic ties. This grassroots strategy didn’t replace high-level diplomacy; it strengthened it, creating a network of allies and success stories to reinforce the value of strong EU-U.S. relations.
American cities are not only laboratories of innovation — they’re gateways to diplomacy. Whether hosting sister city exchanges, welcoming visitors for next year’s FIFA World Cup, or building business partnerships, cities provide an ideal platform for cultivating international ties.
As embassies plan their 2025 U.S. engagements, they should take a cue from the adage, “All politics is local.” The same holds true for diplomacy. The strongest international relationships start locally — on Main Streets, in statehouses, and through partnerships that transcend borders. Leaders who act now to engage local communities won’t just strengthen their ties with the United States — they’ll build a foundation for global stability and prosperity.
