Williams: Some Thoughts for the Start of the Year

Warm Greetings and Reflections on the New Year

Good evening to everyone, and best wishes for a wonderful new year. It's always an honor to address the Council on Foreign Relations, and I'm eager to engage in a meaningful conversation tonight.

You might have noticed that the trending terms for 2025 included expressions such as “rage-bait,” “AI slop,” and notably, “6-7.” I’d like to contribute another term to that list. Last December, I delivered a talk centered on the theme of “Resilience.” At that time, I emphasized that, in spite of the unpredictability brought about by shifting trade policies and global political developments, both the U.S. and world economies demonstrated remarkable strength, continued their upward trajectory, and appeared ready for even greater momentum in 2026.