Brussels Forum Session: Allied Competitiveness: Can It Be Achieved? National vs. Allied Approaches to Competitiveness
Karan Bhatia leads global public policy at Google through a 450-person team based in more than 50 countries. He is principal adviser to Google’s CEO, board, and senior management on policy issues. He leads the company’s work with policymakers and key political stakeholders worldwide.
Before joining Google in 2018, Bhatia served as president of General Electric government affairs and policy. During his 10 years at that firm, he helped drive its expansion into government-facing global markets. He supported more than $40 billion in government-related industrial orders, secured international regulatory approvals for critical mergers and acquisitions, and led policy advocacy efforts on issues ranging from climate change to international trade.
Earlier in his career, Bhatia served in senior positions in the US government, including at the Commerce and Transportation departments, shaping international economic policy. In his last role as deputy US trade representative, he oversaw trade policy with Asia and Africa. Prior to his government service, he was a partner in the Washington, DC law firm Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, where he was a member of the international and corporate groups.
Bhatia has written and spoken widely on international economic policy, taught at Georgetown University Law Center, and testified on many occasions before Congress. He sits on the boards of the Urban Institute, the US Global Leadership Coalition, and the Partnership for Public Service.
Bhatia holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree from the London School of Economics, and a law degree from Columbia University.