Insights

Whether currently invested in the region or not, the Gulf’s transformation and its growing global impact is one all of us should be learning more about. As President Trump kicks off his Gulf tour today where he has told advisors he wants to sign deals worth more than $1 trillion, we take a deeper look at the region.

Beyond their U.S. investments, Gulf states are reshaping global finance, attracting top financial institutions with favorable tax codes and regulations, simple setup processes, and immense pools of capital.

In today’s newsletter, we explore how companies and leaders are talking about the role of AI in the workplace – and how strategic communicators can ensure we keep humans front and center during this period of business transformation and transition.

We first covered President Trump’s tariff plans in early February, when he announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, linking them to border security and concerns about fentanyl trafficking. Fast forward two months: On April 2, dubbed Liberation Day, Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 185 countries and territories. The S&P 500 dropped nearly 5% on April 3, its worst day since June 2020. As The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes described it, we’re now witnessing “an all-consuming – and terrifying – reality TV spectacle: the Trump Tariff Show.”

In today’s edition, we share insights from our salon dinner, “Navigating Communications Strategy + Reputation in the 2025 Environment,” with corporate tech, nonprofit, and global policy communications leaders, along with a roundup of media news and moves.

Sweeping changes are coming out of D.C. at an unprecedented pace, signaling four years of seismic shifts ahead that will require organizations to stay agile. In this edition, we explore the potential impact of tariffs on your organization and best practices to communicate with clarity about trade policy. We’re also providing an update on the latest in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Five years after COVID-19, C-suite events and communities are back in full force — and are undeniably different from pre-2020. The way we engage, network, and experience conferences has been reshaped by new technologies, changing executive expectations, and a growing demand for hybrid formats. In today’s newsletter, we’ll dive into the principles defining the 2025 events and memberships landscape.

The Copernicus Report challenges outdated media engagement strategies, much like the astronomer who challenged how we see the universe.

Amid a surge of executive action since President Trump took office, organizations are focused on staying agile, getting ahead of reputational risks to their business, and developing communications strategies that meet the moment. In this edition, we'll cover how to navigate executive orders, what’s driving the conversation at Davos, and key media and tech industry shifts impacting our work.

We’re 10 days into 2025, a year in which uncertainty reigns as we await the second Trump administration, rapid developments in AI and business, new global health challenges, extreme weather events, and more. COMPASS, a newsletter from Global Gateway Advisors designed for leaders and strategic communicators, will help navigate the complexities of the evolving landscape.