UVA Batten associate professor Alex Bick  served as moderator for a panel discussion at the Miller Center’s 2025 William and Carol Stevenson Conference titled “The Future of American Financial and Economic Statecraft.” The conference examined how the Trump administration, as well as future presidencies, might use the levers of economic power.

Bick, who is also a faculty senior fellow at the Miller Center, is an expert on national security policy and international affairs, with more than 20 years' experience in senior roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.

His panel discussion took a strategic perspective on recommendations for the Trump administration, evaluating policy risks, opportunities, and trade-offs for American policymakers and developing specific proposals to advance U.S. competitiveness and security over the long term. Key topics included (1) trade and tariff policies; (2) regulation of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins; (3) allies and partners, including efforts to create trusted technology ecosystems; (4) steps to address the use or overuse of sanctions; (5) an evaluation of the effect of rising deficit and debt levels on the U.S. dollar and U.S. treasury yields; and (6) promotion or reform of institutions.