James Carouso

Senior Adviser and Chairman of the Advisory Council to the Australia Chair (Non-resident), Australia Chair
James Carouso

Jim Carouso has been at the forefront of economic diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific for much of his career. His 25 years with the U.S. Department of State included postings as senior foreign policy adviser to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, deputy chief of mission and chargé d’ affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, and chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In addition, Jim served in a variety of economic and commercial roles in the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cyprus, including acting as a member of the U.S. teams negotiating free trade agreements with Australia and Thailand. While director of the State Department office responsible for relations with the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and East Timor, Jim conceived and made real U.S.-ASEAN Connect, a new means of economic interaction between the two economies that was announced by President Obama at the 2016 Sunnylands summit. In 2019, he received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award. Prior to joining the State Department in 1995, Jim worked in international banking and finance. Since retiring as a diplomat, Jim has served as managing director of strategic consultancy Bower Group Asia in Singapore and currently serves as a senior adviser to that firm. He holds a degree in economics from Hamilton College and a master’s degree in international finance from the American Graduate School of International Management.
 

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Australia’s Trade Challenges in 2025

Despite economic headwinds from various external factors, Australia still has some ability to influence U.S. bilateral trade policies and should focus on limiting any U.S. tariffs imposed on Australian exports.

Commentary by James Carouso — February 11, 2025

Audio Briefs

Australia’s Trade Challenges in 2025

An audio version of “Australia’s Trade Challenges in 2025,” a new commentary by CSIS's James Carouso. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by James Carouso — February 11, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Future Made in Australia

An audio version of “Future Made in Australia,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s James Carouso. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by James Carouso — July 26, 2024

Audio Briefs

Future Made in Australia

Will the "Future Made in Australia Act" transform the nation into a clean energy powerhouse? Prime Minister Albanese bets on batteries, hydrogen, and minerals with a A$22.7 billion push to redefine policy, achieve carbon neutrality, and harness resources.

Critical Questions by James Carouso — July 25, 2024

With U.S. Allies, 1 Plus 2 Equals Four

The fact historically and today is that the United States is much stronger with robust allies. The AUKUS agreement, like the 1941 Lend-Lease Act and similar agreements, will bolster overall U.S. force posture and therefore be a greater deterrent.

Commentary by James Carouso — February 16, 2024

Press Briefing: Previewing AUSMIN 2023

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing on Friday, July 21, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, to preview the upcoming 2023 Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN).

Event — July 21, 2023

Thirteenth Annual South China Sea Conference

The CSIS Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative are pleased to present the Thirteenth Annual South China Sea Conference, it will provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and analysis of developments in the South China Sea over the past year and potential paths forward.

Event — June 28, 2023

ITAR Should End for Australia

The United States faces its greatest geopolitical challenge since World War II in a global strategic competition with China. To win this competition requires the United States to revise its Cold War-era weapons and sensitive technology control regimes.

Commentary by James Carouso, Thomas Schieffer, Jeffrey Bleich, John Berry, and Arthur Culvahouse — December 7, 2022