Alternative Investment Industry Believes U.S. is Diminishing its Global Influence

ByBritt Tunick

NEW YORK, NY, February 7, 2018 – Partisanship aside, if there is one thing everyone can agree on it is the fact that the Trump administration has had a visible impact on foreign relations. The President has charted a very different course than most of his predecessors. Given the importance of foreign affairs, the New York Alternative Investment Roundtable recently conducted a survey on the topic.

Former Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana) was the featured speaker at the Roundtable’s January event, where his presentation “The Idea of the Abdication of American Influence in the World & the Consequences for U.S. Security and Prosperity” highlighted his thoughts regarding the consequences of the Trump administration’s foreign policy and the long term impact he believes it will have on the U.S. and other countries around the world.

“There have been a number of incidences made by the President in his first year that are significant,” said Lugar. “I believe that U.S. leadership is diminished, and the question is does that make a difference?… In the past, the United State\s did take an interest in disputes around the world and was considered the leader because we were the only country that had the resources, both military and economic, to do so. But the president is indicating that our resources are going to be husbanded much more here in the U.S.,” he said.

New York Alternative Investment Roundtable members had the opportunity to weigh in with their predictions regarding U.S. foreign relations at the Roundtable’s January event, as well as through an online electronic poll.

Of the respondents to this survey, 36% were fund managers; 15% were allocators; 12% were risk management or trading; 26% were service providers; and 11% were other industry participants.

*The New York Alternative Investment Roundtable does not take any political positions, welcomes diversity of perspective at its events and does not endorse any political views that are expressed by speakers or guests.

Following are some of the key findings of the survey:

  • When asked whether or not the U.S. will remain a global economic superpower, 90% of respondents believe it will, while 10% do not.
  • 59% of respondents believe that the U.S. cannot maintain its position as a world leader if it pulls back its involvement in foreign affairs and efforts to maintain global order, while 41% believe that it can.
  • Asked whether or not America will remain a full member of NAFTA or have its membership limited within the next year, 58% believe it will, while 42% believe that it will not.
  • 78% of respondents believe that the U.S. is diminishing its global influence, while 22% believe it is stepping up its influence. Of those who believe the U.S. is increasing its global influence, 60% think it is due to the Trump administration, while 40% think it is because of other reasons.
  • Asked what poses the biggest threat to America’s position as a global economic superpower, 44% believe it is a loss of confidence in U.S. leadership; 23% think it is the failure to build strong coalitions with other countries; 19% think it is protectionist trade policies; and 14% think it is the rapid evolution of technology.
  • When asked what would result if America were to lose its position as a superpower, 33% of respondents believe that the result would be increased instability within other regions of the world, such as the Middle East; 26% believe it would be the loss of American affluence and a widespread increase in poverty within the U.S.; 17% believe it would be the end of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency; 10% think it would be a collapse of the global economy, replaced by the creation of multiple growth centers; 8% think it would be another major global economic crisis; and 6% think it would be a decrease in terrorism aimed at the U.S.

About The New York Alternative Investment Roundtable:

The New York Alternative Investment Roundtable is a non-profit organization focused on promoting ethics and best practices within the alternative investment industry. The membership consists of investors, hedge fund managers, private equity fund managers, family offices and other industry professionals who regularly meet to discuss current issues within the industry and connect with peers. Monthly events center around thought-provoking speakers and panels designed to keep members apprised of timely and important issues within the alternative investment industry. The Roundtable’s goal is to provide a forum for thought leadership, where industry professional have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills and to network with other individuals committed to advancing the industry with the highest ethical standards. For additional information about the Roundtable, visit: http://www.ny-air.org

 

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