The first US Economic Diplomacy Meeting under Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to take place on Wednesday. The meeting marks an important step in coordinating economic and foreign policy as the United States works to strengthen trade, investment, and global competitiveness. The meeting will bring together leaders from several federal agencies through the Economic Diplomacy Action Group, known as EDAG. The group was created to improve cooperation across the government and support American businesses in global markets. Officials say the meeting will focus on using economic policy to support national interests while creating more opportunities for American workers and companies. It will also help shape future strategies for trade, investment, technology, and international partnerships. The State Department said EDAG will guide how the United States uses economic tools to support foreign policy goals. One major priority is strengthening American leadership in artificial intelligence while encouraging long-term economic growth. Government officials explained that the group will coordinate programs across different agencies to create stronger business opportunities. The effort also aims to attract more investment into the United States and increase support for American companies operating around the world. Another key goal is creating conditions that help businesses expand while supporting job growth across the country. Officials believe closer coordination between agencies can improve the country's ability to compete in the global economy. The meeting will include representatives from many major government departments. Leaders from the Departments of State, Commerce, Energy, Agriculture, Defense, and Treasury are expected to attend. Other participating agencies include the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Development Finance Corporation, the United States Trade and Development Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Together, these organizations will discuss ways to improve economic cooperation and strengthen the country's international economic strategy. The Economic Diplomacy Action Group has its roots in legislation introduced several years ago. Marco Rubio helped sponsor the Championing American Business through Diplomacy Act in 2019 while serving in Congress. The legislation aimed to strengthen government support for American businesses operating internationally. It focused on improving commercial competitiveness and helping U.S. companies succeed in foreign markets. The framework later became the basis for the Economic Diplomacy Action Group. In June 2024, former President Joe Biden officially established the group through a presidential memorandum. The order made the Secretary of State the permanent chair of EDAG. Since then, the group has been designed to improve cooperation between agencies that influence trade, investment, and international business development. Rubio's decision to hold the group's first formal meeting reflects the growing importance of economic policy in national security and foreign affairs. Governments around the world increasingly view technology, trade, supply chains, and investment as key parts of global competition. Artificial intelligence has become one of the major issues expected to shape future economic policy. Officials say maintaining leadership in AI will remain an important objective as countries compete for innovation, talent, and investment. Rubio has taken on several major responsibilities since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. In addition to serving as Secretary of State, he also became acting national security adviser. That made Rubio the first Secretary of State to hold both positions at the same time since Henry Kissinger served in those roles in 1973. Rubio also served as acting administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development before the agency became inactive during 2025. He later served as acting archivist at the National Archives and Records Administration after leadership changes within the agency. That temporary assignment ended in February. The launch of the first EDAG meeting highlights the administration's focus on using economic policy as a central part of international diplomacy. Officials believe stronger cooperation between government agencies can help improve business opportunities, expand investment, strengthen innovation, and support American workers. As global competition continues to grow, the Economic Diplomacy Action Group is expected to play a larger role in shaping how the United States connects economic policy with foreign policy objectives. Its discussions may also influence future decisions on trade, technology, investment, and international economic partnerships in the years ahead.