INDIANAPOLIS, IN – As Congress considers a new national security emergency package, Senator Todd Young (R-IN) spoke out today at a town hall hosted by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) on why additional U.S. investments to respond to the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the competition with China, and growing humanitarian crises are critical for U.S. national security and for Indiana’s economic future.

“This is the most dangerous time in my lifetime from a geopolitical standpoint. America’s interests are being threatened by China, Russia, and Iran. If we want to meet these connected threats, we need to use our diplomatic leverage, in addition to a strong military. There is a natural impulse to want to withdraw, to consolidate, to turn our attention inward, but that would be the most disadvantageous thing towards us, our way of life, and toward future prosperity,” said Senator Todd Young (R-IN).

Sen. Young was joined by Dr. Mung Chiang, President, Purdue University, Lt. Gen. Thomas S. James, Jr. U.S. Army (Ret.), Justin Rismiller, U.S. Soy Processing Commercial Leader, Cargill, and USGLC President & CEO Liz Schrayer, for a discussion on America’s role in the world in the face of these growing threats and challenges, and how U.S. leadership and engagement on the global stage helps keep Indiana families and communities safe, secure, and prosperous.

“Indiana is global. With nearly 20% of the state’s jobs supported by global trade, prosperity and stability here are deeply dependent on prosperity and stability in the world,” said USGLC President and CEO Liz Schrayer. “As one of the leading foreign policy voices in the U.S. Senate, Senator Young is a critical champion for U.S. global leadership and helping to strengthen America’s investments in diplomacy and development to protect our national interests, promote stability, and meet the comprehensive challenges we face from China, Russia, and the growing global crises.”

Also speaking about why U.S. leadership globally matters locally were: Colin Renk, Vice President, Client & Partner Services, The International Center, and Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman, Meijer Inc. The conversation, hosted by USGLC, brought together business, non-profit, veteran, faith, and community leaders from Indianapolis and the wider region.

“Perhaps not since 1939 has there been more dire need for leadership and for a global free world coalition,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “That’s why we invest in national security work, and that’s why we have tech diplomacy…. Technology must advance freedom. That’s the mission.”

Lieutenant General Thomas James, Jr. spoke on U.S.-China competition, saying, “When you look at China as the pacing threat that we look at today—because they’re trying to change the international order and have the instruments of power to potentially do it—we’ve got to fund diplomatic engagement, development, humanitarian aid and those kinds of themes that really help us.”

Cargill’s Justin Rismiller spoke on the importance of U.S. global leadership, saying, “To me it’s about connecting Hoosiers and Americans to global opportunities… When you think about investing globally, and in not just economic economics, but stability as well—it’s not just the right thing to do. It’s also good for American business, is good for American farmers to help drive prosperity back to Indiana.”

With more than $45 billion in global exports from Indiana in 2022, America’s investments in diplomacy and development benefit Indiana locally. In 2019, 749,000 jobs in Indiana were supported by international trade. Of the nearly 8,200 Indiana businesses that export goods, 84 percent are small or medium-sized businesses.

For the full discussion, watch the event here.