Insecurity Blanket

Last week, the White House released its 2025 National Security Strategy, charting a course for a more transactional and interest-driven U.S. global posture. The document articulates the administration’s “America First” vision with an emphasis on border security, economic revitalization and a reduction in broader global cooperation. 

Subsequently, Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled the new National Defense Strategy at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum. Echoing the core sentiments of the White House plan, Hegseth’s strategy underscores the United States’ commitment to defend the homeland and its hemisphere, deter China through strength rather than force, increase burden sharing among allies and supercharge the U.S. defense industrial base.

The strategies mark a departure from previous administrations’ values-driven approaches, instead emphasizing strategic sufficiency and negotiated stability with major powers. Previous strategic pillars, such as countering the impacts of climate change, were omitted altogether. The shifts have drawn sharp criticism from governments across Europe and other core allies.

Key objectives across both strategies include:

• A renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere: An emphasis on vigilance against foreign influence, with the NSS outlining a “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine to counter China, Russia and Iran in critical infrastructure.

• Migration underscored as a core national security threat: Expanded border enforcement and pressure on partner nations to curb outward flows.

• A pivot away from Europe: Prioritization of rapid negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, limits to further NATO expansion and welcoming of nationalist political movements.

• Conditional engagement with China: Shifting from broad competition to targeted economic reciprocity and robust Indo-Pacific deterrence.

• Economic security and reindustrialization: Underscoring economic resilience, supply chain protection, energy dominance and technological leadership as inseparable from national security

• Burden-sharing with allies: Global partners will be expected to assume greater responsibility for their own defense and regional stability.

As governments worldwide tighten their grip on foreign investment, political dynamics have become a defining factor in cross-border transactions. In this environment, dealmakers must understand these pressures early to manage risk and coordinate stakeholders strategically. FGS Global’s Global Deal Clearance Report examines these dynamics across major markets, drawing on surveys of political decision-makers and opinion leaders in the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Italy and the EU. 

The findings reveal a clear picture: decisive majorities across all surveyed markets want government authorities to screen Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) more stringently. The vast majority of respondents—nearly 90% in Japan and over 75% in the U.S. and Germany—support more stringent screening of Chinese investments. But even friendly capital faces new scrutiny, with nearly 50% of European respondents calling for closer review of U.S. investments.

With political scrutiny rising and red flags multiplying, dealmakers face a more complex and uncertain risk landscape. Three steps are essential for deal teams looking to stay ahead:

1. Integrate political analysis into early due diligence to identify exposure and mitigation needs.

2. Build communications plans tailored to local sensitivities while maintaining consistent global messaging.

3. Map and engage stakeholders early to prevent political concerns from escalating into deal-blocking issues.

For more market-specific insights and practical strategies, or to connect with your region’s local experts, check out the full report here.

Making an impact at the World Economic Forum requires more than attendance. Success depends on strategic engagement, authentic dialogue, and demonstrating informed leadership on the global issues that matter most.

This year’s theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue,” puts collaboration front and center. Conversations will focus on economic stability, AI and digital transformation, the energy transition and renewed international cooperation. Leaders who can navigate these discussions effectively will stand out, building partnerships and influence that extends far beyond the week in Davos.

Here are five key insights to help you prepare:

• Map the attendee landscape. Understanding who will be there—and why—helps identify coalitions and long-term partnerships capable of driving change on critical global issues.

• Shift from rhetoric to action. As the world looks for tangible progress, clarity in messaging is vital. Organizations that craft narratives that are both specific and authentic will stand out.

• Engage the media strategically. Journalists at Davos seek stories that go beyond press releases. Early outreach, combined with flexibility for spontaneous opportunities, is essential to cut through the noise.

• Prioritize high-impact engagement. Quality over quantity matters: choose sessions and side events that amplify your message, secure influential speaking slots and reinforce leadership.

• Prepare for thematic drivers. Geopolitics, technology, and energy transition will dominate conversations. Companies ready to share informed perspectives on conflicts, economic shifts and innovation will position themselves as thought leaders.

Contact wef@fgsglobal.com for more details on how FGS Global can help you make the most of your time at WEF.