Henry M. Paulson ( Henry M . Paulson , Jr .) calls on the United States to revive its leadership
New York, October 29th / PRNewswire / -- Henry M. Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Chairman of the Paulson Institute, delivered a speech at the New York Economic Club, calling on the United States to revive its leadership in order to cope with the changing world order.
In a speech titled "American Leadership in an Evolving Global Order," Paulson stated that for the United States to play a leading role globally, it is necessary to continue to strengthen its domestic economic and democratic foundations.
"We are entering uncharted waters. But there is one thing I am certain of: American leadership is indispensable," said Paulson.
Paulson pointed out three decisive challenges:
- Political Incompetence: Increasing polarization and government deadlock threaten America's ability to address pressing economic challenges and maintain its global leadership. Paulson emphasizes that an effective democratic system remains the foundation of economic strength and international credibility.
- Artificial Intelligence: Paulson warns that artificial intelligence is the most influential force in shaping the emerging global order and may have a significant impact on the labor force, especially in white-collar and service industry jobs. He calls for unprecedented cooperation among governments, businesses, and academia to prepare workers, accelerate future retraining of the labor force, and establish protective measures against the newly emerging risks of artificial intelligence.
- National Debt: The trajectory of U.S. debt is unsustainable and has posed a direct threat to economic prosperity and national security. Paulson stated that the annual interest payments on U.S. government debt have exceeded one trillion dollars, “which is roughly equivalent to $3 billion per day, or about $7,500 per household.” Policymakers must face difficult fiscal choices before the rising debt burden hinders investment in innovation, infrastructure, and national priorities.
In addition to domestic challenges, strong international cooperation and predictable economic policies are also of vital importance for global peace and stability, as common threats posed by climate change, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are affecting every corner of the world.
"Openness has always been a comparative advantage for the United States," Paulson said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an open economic system while protecting key technologies and supply chains.
About the Paulson Institute
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, independent think tank dedicated to "thinking and action," committed to fostering global relations to promote economic prosperity and sustainable growth, as well as maintaining global order in a rapidly changing world.
News contact person:
Kristin Gomez[ email protected ]202-374-2398










