Dr. Nawaf Salameh, Founder & Chairman of Nawaf Salameh Family Office and General James L. Jones a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO will sign the partnership agreement in Washington D.C., on the 21st of January, following the inauguration of President Donald. J. Trump. The American Romanian Business Roundtable will foster collaboration in critical sectors, including defense, energy, trade, and technology.
Building Bridges:
Amid global transformations and new leadership reshaping the geopolitical landscape, the United States and Romania are presented with a unique opportunity to deepen their bilateral relationship. Anchored by a strong NATO alliance and the enduring U.S.-Romanian Strategic Partnership, efforts to solidify economic, political, security and social ties between the two nations have become critical for fostering regional stability and shared prosperity.
Dr. Nawaf Salameh, a key advocate for advancing U.S.-Romanian relations, emphasizes the importance of economic engagement as the foundation for a resilient strategic partnership. „Strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Romania is not just a matter of trade; it is the cornerstone of stability, growth, and mutual respect”, stated Dr. Salameh. His vision for enhanced collaboration aims to unite diverse stakeholders in creating trust and opportunities for mutual growth.
General James L. Jones, a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, highlights the intrinsic connection between economic security and defense readiness. „Stable and robust economic infrastructure is essential for regional security and for fulfilling NATO’s collective defense objectives”, General Jones remarked. „Romania has been a critical partner and friend to both NATO and the United States for decades”. He stresses the importance of energy security and innovation in aligning economic development with strategic defense priorities.
The newly proposed American Romanian Business Roundtable (ARBR)
Key pillars of the ARBR include:
- Defense and Energy Sector Collaboration: Facilitating partnerships between U.S. and Romanian companies to strengthen the bilateral defense industrial base, enhance energy security, develop advanced defense technologies, and support NATO’s operational capabilities.
- Economic Growth and Trade: Promoting bilateral business relationships and increasing trade and collaboration between the United States and Romania driving sustainable investment enhancing the economic resilience of both nations.
- Innovation, AI, and Workforce Development: Organizing initiatives that focus on advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and workforce training to prepare future leaders and enhance cross-border collaboration.
The American Romanian Business Roundtable (ARBR) has been established to strengthen commercial ties and deepen US-Romanian relations. As a membership organization, ARBR will bring together leading Romanian and US private sector companies across critical industries. It will serve as a dynamic platform for collaboration by convening high-profile events and delegations, such as the Defense Industry Base Bilateral Meeting, to address shared strategic priorities.
ARBR will play a key role in facilitating dialogues on energy security and infrastructure resilience, underscoring the importance of energy in driving sustainable economic growth and promoting regional stability. These initiatives aim to not only enhance economic partnerships but also contribute to broader stability across Eastern Europe.
These efforts will include addressing the growing importance of digital infrastructure, cyber security and data sovereignty to ensure that technical progress is secure and resilient. To deepen people ties, ARBR will also focus on cultural exchanges, educational partnerships and youth leadership initiatives to foster a mutual understanding between the US and Romania.
A core focus of ARBR is supporting & enhancing Romania’s critical contributions as a regional hub and advancing Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. This includes advancing the development of Constanța Port, a strategic gateway connecting the Black Sea to Central and Eastern Europe.