Brown: In a changing world, ‘sauna diplomacy’ would benefit U.S.

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Every living American knows our nation as a great power on the world stage. Being the big dog gives the U.S. a wealth of options to handle foreign affairs. Rest assured, we’ve tried nearly all of them over our 249-year history.

But the world is changing, and so is U.S. strategy. Other powers are rising while current U.S. leadership imagines a more transactional role in global affairs.

Loosely defined, lopsided trade deals look good on a cable news ticker. That’s why President Donald Trump announces them the way he does. But if a trade agreement merely papers over resentment over policy differences, America loses its ability to lead in the future — not only in trade, but in diplomacy as well. The bill for that transgression will eventually come due.

We should consider different strategies, ones that promote rather than punish both trade and diplomacy. That’s a big ask, so let’s start small.

For example, have you ever tried taking a sauna with your adversary?

Mikkola will deliver the keynote address in the form of a 2 p.m. Saturday fireside chat at this weekend’s FinnFest at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. She also presented a talk about the advantages of Nordic “soft diplomacy” Friday morning.

We discussed the meaning of soft diplomacy when I spoke to Mikkola by phone Thursday afternoon.

“It’s people-to-people and building trust,” said Mikkola. “You are making friends and partners in a softer way.”

This means making cultural connections. For instance, my grandmother grew up speaking Finnish and made sure her sons knew the healing power of a hot sauna, the Finnish word for steam bath.

But it’s also economic. UPM owns the Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids, Minn. Its trademark griffin image is the oldest corporate logo in Finland. The Finnish company Ponsse makes logging equipment used throughout the North Woods. My first cellphone was a Nokia and I played more Angry Birds in the 2010s than I care to admit. Both came from Finnish companies.

Finland successfully resisted Russian re-occupation during the Winter War of 1939-40. So, Finland knows how to fight, but it has learned to accomplish much without it.

Mikkola previously served as Finnish ambassador to China and Israel, with other posts throughout Africa and the Middle East. Her breadth of experience gives her a clear view of world affairs.

She hopes Americans realize the dangers of ongoing wars. For Finland, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is especially menacing. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously expressed ambition to regain control of former Russian holdings, including Ukraine, the Baltics and Finland.

“We want the peace that we hope comes sooner than later to be a peace where Ukrainians can call theirs a free and democratic nation,” said Mikkola. “It’s very important for Europe and Finland.”

She said American interests will be affected by any loss in freedoms around the world.

“Tariffs will be expensive for American consumers but will influence the economy of Europe and Finland, too,” said Mikkola. “The possibilities for a competitive economy are decreased for some time. For Europeans, it’s difficult to see winners in this policy. Maybe there will be.”

I had to ask Mikkola about one of the most cited statistics she hears about Finland: that surveys show the Nordic nation to be the world’s “happiest.”

Mikkola tempers these findings with Finnish stoicism. Finns aren’t “happy happy,” she said, but rather “content.”

She said the relationship people have with their government, that their taxes pay for services they need and want, is a part of why.

“Life doesn’t have to be great, but life is OK, life is good, and society functions in a trusted manner,” said Mikkola.

Mikkola emphasized trust as the central component of Finnish happiness and government alike.

I would argue that building that kind of trust is central to rebuilding American institutions torn apart by neglect, innuendos and political gamesmanship. Coercion never builds trust — not in relationships, business or international diplomacy.

Mikkola made sure to mention the Finnish tradition of “sauna diplomacy.” She described how, in older days, male politicians would strip down and sort out their troubles in sauna, knowing that “what happens in sauna stays there,” she said.

Times have changed, but the idea of forming trust with your negotiating partners is still a good solution to many problems.

Sauna diplomacy works not because you’re naked (technically, you don’t have to be), but rather because in sauna you must tell the truth. Truth builds trust. And trust is how we make this rough and ragged world go ’round.