Romer Argues Eagle Valley Businesses Must Embrace Global Trade

Aspen —The air in the Eagle Valley is crisp, but the economic temperature is fluctuating wildly. On one hand, you have the steady hum of ski lifts and the clink of glasses in Aspen-style dining rooms. On the other, you have the anxiety of a supply chain that snaps like a dry twig. This is the tension driving a new argument making its rounds in local opinion circles.

Romer, writing for the Vail Daily, takes a stance that might feel counterintuitive to anyone who has watched prices spike at the grocery store. He argues that globalism is not the villain. In fact, he calls it an opportunity. This is a bold claim. It challenges the popular narrative that we should just close the borders and hope for the best. Romer suggests that retreat leads to stagnation. Connection leads to growth.

He grounds this abstract idea in very real local stakes. Think about the dollars flowing through Vail, Avon, and Eagle. Romer points out that these funds are often tied to decisions made continents away. Ignoring that link shrinks our horizons. For small and medium-sized businesses — the backbone of our economy — international markets provide the room to scale. Selling locally alone is no longer enough. It’s a matter of survival.

Tourism is the most visible proof of this concept. International visitors aren’t just passing through. They fill hotels, dine in restaurants, and buy goods. They bring expectations that push local service providers to innovate. Without them, our streets would be quieter. Our businesses would be smaller. Our workforce would be less resilient. Romer makes a sharp point: choosing to ignore this reality is not neutral. It is self-sabotage.

Admittedly, the challenges are real. Supply chain disruptions and shifting trade policies can ripple into our economy. But Romer argues these are reasons to prepare, not to retreat. We need vision, planning, and collaboration. We need to act strategically so Eagle County can prosper even when the world throws curveballs.

It’s a compelling case. It asks us to look beyond the immediate fear and see the long-term potential. It’s about staying connected in a disconnected world. It’s about keeping our doors open, even when the wind blows hard. The choice is ours. We can retreat into fear and isolation, hoping the world leaves us alone. Or we can step forward and embrace the opportunities that come from connection, trade, and international engagement. Choosing the latter is the only path that ensures our businesses, workforce, and community thrive.

The valley stands at a crossroads. The snow melts, revealing the dirt paths beneath. The choices are clear. The future is not something that happens to us. It is something we choose. And right now, the choice is to move forward. Not back. Forward. Into the connection. Into the trade. Into the global stage. That is where our opportunity lies. Not in the retreat. In the reach.