Diplomacy

On January 16, 2019, Howery was nominated by President Donald Trump to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Sweden.^[13][14] Following a confirmation hearing on May 16, 2019, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee favorably reported Howery's nomination to the Senate, which confirmed Howery on September 17, 2019, by a vote of 62–32.^[15][16] In his confirmation hearing, Howery stated his priorities as ambassador would include pursuing expanded economic and trade relationships, advancing mutual security commitments, and promoting science, technology and entrepreneurship opportunities.^[17]

Howery was sworn in as ambassador on October 10, 2019,^[18] and presented his credentials to His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf on November 7, 2019.^[19] 

As ambassador, Howery was active across a number of policy areas.^[20] Howery engaged with Swedish officials on defense issues and military strategy, including pressing for increased interoperability of U.S. and Swedish military systems.^[21][22] He also advocated for the longstanding U.S. goal of increased European defense spending; Sweden approved a 40% increase in defense spending over five years during Howery's tenure - the largest increase in more than 70 years.^[23]

Howery strongly advocated for clean 5G technology,^[24] promoting the official U.S Department of State position that encourages the use of equipment made by Swedish manufacturer Ericsson and asserts that Huawei-made products are a security risk to democracies. Howery met with senior Swedish officials on 5G security in September, 2020,^[25] and Sweden subsequently announced a ban on equipment from telecommunication companies Huawei and ZTE in its 5G network.^[26] Howery also promoted increased cooperation, including on security issues, between the U.S. and Sweden in the Arctic.^[27] In October 2020, Sweden published its first new Arctic Strategy in a decade, highlighting concerns about deteriorating global relations and the growth of military activity in the Arctic.^[28][29] His Arctic advocacy included helping establish a partnership between the Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Sweden's Luleå University of Technology.^[30] 

As Sweden serves as the protecting power for the United States in North Korea,^[31] Howery worked to maintain a strong communication channel for the push for denuclearization, and worked with Swedish officials to counter disinformation, and promote democracy, human rights, free trade, and regional security.^[22]

Howery advocated for the importance of transparency and information-sharing between countries to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[32] He led efforts by U.S. Embassy Stockholm to assist Swedish manufacturer Getinge with supply chain issues, helping it to expand production of ventilators for the benefit of COVID-19 patients in the United States and around the world.^[33]  

Howery has engaged with the Swedish academic community, including on the role universities can play in entrepreneurship and the importance of academic integrity.^[34][35] He has conducted outreach to the U.S. and Swedish business communities in Sweden,^{[36][37][38][39][40]} including delivering speeches at the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce.^[41][42] He has also engaged with top Swedish scientific research institutes, science parks, and Sweden's Innovation Agency.^{[43][44][45][46][47]}