Transactional Foreign Policy and the End of the Liberal Order?

The second Trump presidency seems to mark a decisive break with the value-based, liberal order that has shaped global politics since World War II. Emphasizing a more transactional approach to foreign policy—favoring deals over traditional diplomacy—Donald Trump’s return to the White House might create far-reaching consequences for our Western alliances, as well as for global governance, security, trade, and multilateral cooperation.

This shift challenges the norms and institutions that have long underpinned international collaboration, raising fundamental questions about the future of U.S. leadership on the world stage. What does this mean for Europe, NATO, and the balance of power in regions from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East? Join 1014 and the American Council on Germany for a timely discussion with Dr. Stefan Mair, Director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, on how the world might navigate a new era of international realignment.

In partnership with the American Council on Germany.

This event is located at Serendipity Labs - Grand Central: 205 East 42 Street, 20th Floor, NY 10017

Dr. Stefan Mair is an expert in foreign and security policy with a particular focus on the challenges facing Germany and the European Union. His work centers on geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics, as well as trade and foreign economic policy. He brings over three decades of experience in both policy research and industry representation. Since October 1, 2020, he has served as Director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) and as Executive Chairman of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik. In this capacity, he leads one of Europe’s foremost think tanks dedicated to international relations and security, overseeing its strategic direction, institutional operations, and engagement with national and international decision-makers.

From 2010 to 2020, he was a member of the Executive Board of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), where he was responsible for shaping the organization’s approach to international economic and trade policy. During this time, he played a key role in representing the interests of German industry in both European and global forums. Previously, from 2007 to 2009, he served as Research Director at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), guiding the institute’s analytical work across multiple policy fields. His earlier tenure at SWP, spanning from 1992 to 2007 and again from 2009 to 2010, included roles as head of the Middle East and Africa Research Division (until March 2001) and as a member of the executive board (2001–2007 and 2009–2010).

He earned his doctorate (Dr. rer. pol.) in 1992 from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich. From 1989 to 1992, he was a PhD scholarship holder at the ifo Institute for Economic Research in Munich, where he conducted research in the Developing Countries Department, focusing on economic development and international trade. He is widely recognized for his contributions to foreign and security policy analysis and has authored numerous publications and policy papers throughout his career. His interdisciplinary expertise and leadership experience make him a prominent voice in European policy discourse.

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