In this episode of America’s Employee Handbook, host Dani Sterbinsky unpacks the inner workings of global alliances by comparing U.S. government strategies to corporate operations at "AmeriCo." Dani explores the dynamics of NATO defense spending and the impact of tariffs on North American trade, revealing how decisions in high-level policy can affect everything from national security to your local grocery bill. The discussion also delves into the intriguing Mar‑a‑Lago accord theory, a speculative yet thought-provoking idea that questions how coordinated economic strategies might reshape the global financial system. Interweaving insights from Industrial-Organizational Psychology and real-world examples, this episode invites listeners to research, share personal experiences, and reflect on how civic duty and informed dialogue are key to sustaining effective partnerships.

References

Chiaburu, D. S., Peng, A. C., & Van Dyne, L. (2021). Abrupt organizational changes and employee cynicism: A meta-analytic review. Organizational Psychology Review, 11(2), 135–159.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2041386620978716

Harvard Business Review. (2024). Why strategic partnerships fail: Communication breakdowns and abrupt policy shifts. Harvard Business Review.
https://hbr.org

Lin, X., Park, J., & Choi, Y. (2021). Misaligned incentives in global alliances: How cultural and strategic differences undermine collaboration. Journal of International Business Studies, 52(3), 417–433.
https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-020-00336-8

NATO. (2023). Secretary General’s Annual Report 2023. NATO Public Diplomacy Division.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_70672.htm

U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (2022). The cost of tariffs to the U.S. economy. Retrieved from
https://www.uschamber.com/international/trade

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Impacts of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. farm exports. Economic Research Service Report.
https://www.ers.usda.gov

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). (2023). Defense budget overview. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).
https://comptroller.defense.gov/Budget-Materials/

U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). (2021). Economic impact of Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs on U.S. industries.
https://www.usitc.gov

World Trade Organization (WTO). (2020). Trade profiles: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/trade_profiles_list_e.htm

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