Trade protectionism, a policy adopted by nations to safeguard their domestic industries from foreign competition, has long been a contentious issue in the realm of international economics. The rationale behind protectionism often centers on protecting emerging industries, preserving jobs, and maintaining national security. However, these measures can also lead to trade wars, inefficiencies, and higher costs for consumers. As countries navigate the complexities of globalization, the debate over the merits and drawbacks of protectionism versus free trade continues to shape economic policies and international relations. In recent years, trade protectionism has resurged as a significant factor influencing global markets. Major economies, including the United States and China, have engaged in tit-for-tat tariff escalations, profoundly impacting global supply chains and economic stability. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, understanding the dynamics of trade protectionism and its implications for international cooperation, economic growth, and global trade norms is more crucial than ever. Against this background, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia brought back a Global Town Hall Series on “Balancing Interest: A North-South Dialogue on Trade Protectionism” to delve into the different perspectives between the Global North and Global South countries.

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In order to dive deeper into the achievements, experiences, and views on Indonesia’s relations with Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) convened an enlightening conversation with Ambassador Niniek Kun Naryatie in a public discussion on “Ambassadorial Debrief: Indonesia-Argentina Relations.”

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As the world focuses on the ongoing war in Gaza. Countries have mentioned the two-state solution to resolve the conflict. However, the current situation is not in favor of that end goal. What are the latest updates on the Gaza War? What is the outlook for the two-state solution and its impact on the future of the Middle East? Given this background, FPCI convened “A Candid Conversation with Ambassador Mona Juul on the Gaza Situation, Two-State Solution, and the Future of the Middle East.”

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As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and the intense geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China, the US foreign policy landscape remains a dynamic and fascinating topic. Moreover, the upcoming U.S. election will have far-reaching implications for both U.S. domestic politics and globally. What are the latest updates on U.S. foreign policy? How might the upcoming U.S. election impact U.S. development and global politics? Given this background, FPCI convened an in-person public discussion titled “A Conversation with Ambassador Robert Blake: Updates on U.S. Foreign Policy and Election.”

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The growth of China’s economic, political, diplomatic, military, cultural, social and technological power has become one of the defining features of the 21st century world system. Within a few years, China is set to overtake the US as the world’s largest economy. China has become a key trading artner to many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The growth of China’s power also comes with a greater sense of global entitlement and ambition. China’s rise has fueled a greater sense of insecurities in some western countries, who see China as a competitor and rival. The US in particular sees China as a country that has the capability to undermine its primacy in world affairs. Countries in the global south, with some exceptions, have generally been open minded and welcoming towards China’s rise. All in all, there is no question that China’s rise has reshaped the world order in the 21st century. Against this backdrop, FPCI will convene a Global Town Hall Series on “what does China’s rise mean to the rest of the world?” hailing speakers from North-South-East-West to share their views on how China’s rise is seen from their respective countries.

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The growth of China’s economic, political, diplomatic, military, cultural, social, and technological power has become one of the defining features of the 21st-century world system. Within a few years, China is set to overtake the US as the world’s largest economy. China has become a key trading partner to many countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The growth of China’s power also comes with a greater sense of global entitlement and ambition. China’s rise has fueled a greater sense of insecurity in some Western countries, which see China as a competitor and rival. In particular, the US sees China as a country that has the capability to undermine its primacy in world affairs. Countries in the global south, with some exceptions, have generally been open-minded and welcoming toward China’s rise. All in all, there is no question that China’s rise has reshaped the world order in the 21st century. Against this backdrop, FPCI convened a Global Town Hall Series on “The Rising Tide: China’s Rise and Its Global Implications?” featuring speakers from North, South, East, and West to share their views on how China’s rise was seen from their respective countries and what it means to the rest of the world.

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How have the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East developed over the past decade? How do the countries in the region navigate the geopolitical shift and how have the middle powers played their role in shaping the regional architecture in the Middle East? Against this backdrop, FPCI Middle Power Studies Network (MPSN) convened a public discussion titled “Mapping Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle-East.” The session discussed the future of geopolitics in the Middle East and how the countries in the region have developed their foreign policies to navigate the current regional and world order.

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ASEAN’s led regional mechanism would not be effective and impactful without the support of its strategic partners, including the US, China, Japan, and India. Although the strategic significance of these strategic partners are well-recognized, Southeast Asians’ perceptions on the US, China, Japan and India are often not known. In 2023, FPCI, in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), conducted a regional survey titled “Survey of ASEAN Peoples’ Perceptions on China, India, Japan, and the USA.” The survey successfully gathered responses from 1,722 participants spanning all ASEAN member countries, including Timor-Leste. To dive deeper into the survey’s results, FPCI convened a “Public Debrief: Survey of ASEAN Peoples’ Perceptions on China, India, Japan, and USA.” This public debriefing explored the significance of these perceptions, discussed why they matter and uncovered further geopolitical insights that may arise from the survey findings.

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