To enhance subnational diplomacy efforts within the Department of State, and for other purposes.
H.R. 5323 would create a dedicated Office of Subnational Diplomacy within the Department of State. The new office is designed to work with subnational units of government—such as states, counties, and cities—to help them attract foreign investment, counter foreign malign influence, and advance U.S. foreign policy priorities at the local level. The office would be led by a Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy, who reports to the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs, and would be responsible for advising, coordinating, and building capacity for local governments in their foreign engagements. Overall, the bill signals a formal Federal effort to broaden diplomacy beyond the national government to include subnational actors and activities like hosting international events, sports diplomacy, and cross-border economic cooperation.
Key Points
- 1Establishment of the Office of Subnational Diplomacy within the Department of State, focused on engaging subnational governments (states, counties, cities) to support foreign investment, counter foreign malign influence, and advance U.S. foreign policy priorities at the local level.
- 2Creation of the position of Special Representative for Subnational Diplomacy, who will report to the Under Secretary of Economic Affairs and serve as the principal Federal official on subnational diplomatic matters.
- 3A broad set of responsibilities for the Special Representative, including advising on subnational engagements, coordinating Department support for local foreign engagements, informing subnational officials about risks and best practices to resist foreign interference, and assisting with hosting international events and tracking foreign direct investment at the county and municipal levels.
- 4Emphasis on capacity-building for local staff, promoting sports diplomacy, and implementing joint programs with foreign governments on policy priorities or shared resources.
- 5Authority to coordinate subnational engagements with associations of elected subnational leaders (e.g., U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Governors Association, National League of Cities) and to inform local officials during negotiations of agreements or MOUs with foreign governments.