The development of economic corridors as a key tool for strengthening trade

Honorable Carla Sands opened by thanking the organizers and highlighting the importance of the Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum. She emphasized that even countries not specifically mentioned in the U.S. National Security Strategy remain important to U.S. foreign policy.
She outlined the America First Policy Institute’s “Nations First” agenda, advocating for strong borders, rule of law, credible defense, energy security, industrial re-shoring, and economic sovereignty for U.S. allies. Sands stressed that strong allies are critical for trade, defense, and global stability, citing concerns about the EU’s demographic and policy shifts.
She highlighted the development of economic corridors as a key tool for strengthening trade and security. Notable examples include the Middle Corridor (TransCaspian International Transport Route, TITR) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMC), designed to diversify supply chains, enhance energy security, and bypass chokepoints like the Suez Canal. IMC also provides opportunities for African nations and the Indo-Pacific, while countering interference from China and Russia.
Sands framed these initiatives as “diplomacy through prosperity,” emphasizing public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and energy projects including small nuclear reactors in Romania and Poland—as mechanisms to foster trade, security, and global economic integration.