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Four Doctor/PhD members of the Institute have been involved in important UN events

Consumer diplomacy is the use of consumption choices and market behavior as a means of political, social, or cultural influence across borders.

It reflects how citizens, through their roles as consumers, engage in diplomacy—intentionally or not—by:

Supporting or boycotting foreign products,
Promoting ethical or sustainable consumption,
Influencing perceptions of countries or brands abroad.

In consumer diplomacy, ordinary people influence global relations through purchasing power and social media activism.

Economic Influence
Consumer choices can shape trade patterns and corporate behavior.
For example, boycotts of products from certain countries (e.g., during conflicts or human rights violations) can pressure governments or firms to change policies.
Cultural Diplomacy Link
Popular brands, fashion, films, and food become cultural ambassadors.
How consumers adopt or reject these reflects and shapes cultural diplomacy and national image.

Digital Diplomacy

Social media amplifies consumer voices globally—hashtags like #BuyLocal, or #FairTrade can go viral and affect diplomatic narratives.

Ethical Consumption:

Fairtrade and eco-labeling campaigns encourage consumers to support nations or firms with good labor and environmental practices.

Nation Branding:

Countries use consumer goods (e.g., Korean pop culture, Japanese design, Italian fashion) to improve global image—this is a form of consumer-led diplomacy through cultural exports.

🔹 Academic Context ( Read more)

Public diplomacy practitioners, academics, and civil society can each play a strategic role in shaping consumer diplomacy. Together, these actors transform everyday consumption into a meaningful arena of international engagement, where reputation, responsibility, and influence intersect. Together, these actors can create a multi-level ecosystem where consumer behavior, ethical values, and cultural branding interact with international relations.

Tell the consumer story.
We highlight the work of our Members and partners to amplify the voice of consumers on the global stage.

Generate action.
Our insights inform our research, driving collaboration with academia and civil society at major international conferences.

Green Consumer Diplomacy

Green consumer diplomacy refers to how consumers, governments, and corporations use environmentally conscious consumption and sustainability standards as a form of international soft power and negotiation. While consumer diplomacy broadly involves how buying and boycotting influence international affairs,
green consumer diplomacy specifically deals with how environmental awareness and green markets become tools of diplomacy.
This happens when:

Consumers prefer eco-friendly imports, influencing exporters’ behavior.
States promote green standards abroad (like carbon border taxes).
Corporations brand themselves as sustainable to appeal to global eco-conscious markets.

Retail diplomacy

"Retail diplomacy" refer to diplomatic tactic where governments or corporations use commercial or retail-related tools for strategic advantage (trade agreements, visas, tariffs, sanctions, export controls, etc.) to influence foreign policy.

Implications for the Global Order
Retail diplomacy may appear minor compared to other forms of public diplomacy, but it reflects a broader reality: trade battles are no longer merely about goods—they are about influence, perception, and access. By turning the consumer market into a diplomatic tool, countries are learning to play by the new rules of global competition.

Cooperation through partnerships

A resilient, inclusive future can only be achieved through partnership – placing consumer advocates, consumer protection authorities, businesses, academia, public diplomacy practitioners and civil society at the heart of global cooperation.

At a time of global volatility — including rising prices, climate shocks, and evolving political landscapes — consumers face increasingly complex challenges.
Now more than ever, strong consumer interest representation is critical. Yet, consumer perspectives are often absent from major policy conversations.
The presence of consumer diplomacy practitioners at UN conferences and other global events is helping to change this.

As countries and corporations continue to clash over technology, tariffs, and trade routes, this new frontier—consumer diplomacy—may well become the quiet battlefield where global influence is truly won or lost.