US ELECTION: GEOPOLITICAL CONFLICT CONCERNS TRUMP ECONOMIC, TRADE ISSUES

Concerns over geopolitical conflict when Donald Trump takes office for the second time surpass concerns on economic, trade and other issues, the Airmic Big Question survey last week revealed. Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no concerns as to what a second Trump administration would bring.

Julia Graham, CEO, Airmic, said: “Geopolitical risk is becoming far higher in profile on the risk radar of most businesses and is a board agenda item. Businesses are monitoring and navigating the short-term risk outlook, scenario planning for the longer view, but keeping an eye on strategic opportunities that can emerge from volatility.”

The concerns of the survey’s respondents revolved around what a second Trump presidency would mean for the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. During the campaign in the lead-up to the recent US presidential election, advisors to Donald Trump have suggested that he would withhold US weapons from Ukraine to incentivise President Volodymyr Zelensky to enter peace talks with Russia.

Hoe-Yeong Loke, Head of Research, Airmic, said: “At least on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, there are highly-respected international relations analysts and scholars who believe a Trump presidency could actually present better prospects for peace – though that would most likely be to the detriment of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Nevertheless, scenario planning and horizon scanning are the keys for organisations as they prepare for geopolitical risk. Organisations must resist the temptation to be events-led and retain agility for when crises may strike.”

Leigh-Anne Slade, Head of Media, Communications and Interest Groups, Airmic, said: “Airmic members have been highlighting the interconnected nature of geopolitical risks. The foreign policy of a second Trump administration has ramifications for a wide range of issues including the climate transition, given expectations for Trump to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement – that in turn will have an impact on economic and trade issues.”

If you would like to request an interview and or have any further questions, please let me know.

We will be sharing the results of the Airmic Big Question with the press weekly.

You can also find the results here.

Media contact: Leigh Anne Slade
Head of Media, Communications and Interest Groups, Airmic
Leigh-Anne.Slade@Airmic.com
07956 41 78 77