Stephanie Walton Stephanie Walton
Senior Director, Digital and Editorial Communications

Published

April 23, 2025

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The second day of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2025 Global Summit focused on the critical role of partnerships in driving future growth.

Building on the previous day's discussions, the sessions on Wednesday explored geo-economic resilience, energy innovation, and supply chain reinvention.

Leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to unlock opportunities in a rapidly changing world and the need to foster a business environment that encourages innovation and growth amidst uncertainty.

Empowering Innovation: Building the Future of Energy

Chris Womack, President, Chairman, and CEO of Southern Company, highlighted the critical role of energy innovation in supporting economic growth and maintaining technological leadership. "We think about all-of-the-above resources being made available. We just finished two nuclear plants down in South Georgia—the first two nuclear units this country has built in 30 years," Womack shared, emphasizing the importance of diverse energy sources.

He also addressed the rising demand for energy, particularly from industries like data centers and automobile manufacturing, noting, "We see growth now in the latter part of this decade as high as 8%, and as we move into the 2030s, upwards of 12% growth on an annual basis."

Womack emphasized the connection between energy and national security, stating, "It is imperative that we do the things in this country to make sure we’re the technology leader. ... One of the critical factors to make sure we do that is making sure we have the power."

The Future of Supply Chains: From Risk to Reinvention

Pat D’Eramo, CEO of Martinrea International Inc., addressed the challenges facing the automotive supplier industry, citing issues like the pandemic, chip shortages, and tariffs. "We've had the pandemic, the chip shortage, the inflationary issues, and then we had the EV investments, which did not pay off. So, from a supplier point of view, there have been tremendous headwinds and just when you start seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, the tariffs come," he explained.

D’Eramo emphasized the interconnected nature of North American supply lines, stating, "We don't view it as one country vs. another, we view it as North America and that’s how we operate." He also highlighted the financial strain on suppliers, noting that "the majority of suppliers are less than 500 million dollars, so they can't afford to carry these costs." D’Eramo urged for clarity and collaboration with the government, saying, "We need clarity, the industry is willing to help… we agree we want to rebuild the industry in North America."

Investing in a Changing World: What’s Next for Global Capital?

H.E. Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, emphasized the importance of collaboration with private companies. "Our leadership always engages with us and asks, ‘How often are you sitting with businesses to listen to them?’" he noted, calling attention to Dubai's proactive approach to business engagement. This high-touch strategy involves convening businesses across sectors to understand their needs and foster growth.

The 2025 Global Summit: Day One

Governors Discuss the Power of Partnerships in Public-Private Collaboration

Following the Chamber’s 2025 State of American Business, which highlighted the local impact of business and policy, the Global Summit brought together U.S. governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Wes Moore of Maryland, and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, along with diplomats and foreign ministers. They explored the importance of foreign direct investment and global trade in bolstering their states' economies.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin shared insights on the transformative power of public-private partnerships. "By holding people accountable and providing the confidence boost that a state can do to a region, you can transform an entire region," he said. Youngkin highlighted Virginia's 'Compete to Win' economic plan, which focuses on deregulation and workforce development to attract investment.

Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the severe impact of tariffs on Kentucky's businesses, emphasizing that both large and small enterprises are affected. "The impact is significant and has the potential to be severe. And it’s not just big business; it’s small business too," he stated. Beshear illustrated the complexity of supply chains with Martinrea, an auto parts manufacturer in Kentucky, explaining, "The parts go from their Canadian facility to their facility in Hopkinsville, KY, to a facility in Mexico and back again. And you can see how these tariffs would almost be exponential on a company like that."

He also pointed out the struggles of a smaller HVAC company in the area, which faces potential layoffs due to rising costs from sourcing parts domestically instead of from China. Beshear criticized the unpredictable nature of tariff policies, saying, "First, it was going to be tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Then it was going to be reciprocal tariffs. And then it was going to be industry-specific tariffs. I don’t know what it’s going to be tomorrow, but this constant change in rationale and approach has every business...facing challenging and stressful times."

Beshear warned that Kentucky could be disproportionately affected, with a potential $4,700 hit to an American family’s budget. He noted the bipartisan opposition to tariffs in Kentucky, stating, "If Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, and I agree on something, it means we’re right." On tax reform, he emphasized the need for balance, saying, "Life and good policy is all about balance. Having that balance that provides the services that are needed for our people and also encourages growth."

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who spoke on Tuesday, said that when public and private entities work together, success follows.

“The reason I believe so deeply in public-private partnerships is because it’s the only thing I’ve ever known," he said. "It’s how can you leverage assets from different sectors to create an incentive package to create progress."

What You Need to Know About Tariffs

Day 2 of the 2025 Global Summit highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative solutions in addressing the complexities of today's global economy. Through discussions on supply chain resilience, the impact of tariffs, and the power of public-private collaboration, leaders emphasized the need for clarity, cooperation, and balanced policy-making.

The Global Summit spurred the necessary conversations between businesses and policy leaders around the world that will be needed to chart a course for the future.

About the author

Stephanie Walton

Stephanie Walton

Senior Director, Digital and Editorial Communications

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