Harald B. Malmgren

Ambassador Dr. Harald B. Malmgren, of Warrenton, VA, a distinguished economist, diplomat, and advisor to U.S. presidents, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the age of 89.

Harald was a man of exceptional intellect and integrity, whose work shaped global economic policies and influenced international trade relations. He served as a senior advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. Throughout his illustrious career, he was known for his deep understanding of global markets and his steadfast commitment to fostering cooperation between nations.

A Life of Service and Achievement

After completing his undergraduate degree at Yale University in 1957 and earning his Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University in 1962, Dr. Malmgren was appointed to the Galen Stone Joint Chair in Mathematical Economics at Cornell University, serving from 1961 to 1962. In 1962, he joined the Kennedy administration as head of the Economics Group at the Institute for Defense Analyses and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Weapons Systems Evaluation Group (WSEG).

In 1964, he became part of the senior staff of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), serving as Senior Economist and Executive Assistant to Special Representative Christian Herter. A year later, he was appointed as the first United States Assistant Special Representative for Trade Negotiations while also serving as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

After leaving the USTR in 1969, Dr. Malmgren served as Director of Research at the Overseas Development Council, Special Adviser to Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff and the Senate Finance Committee, and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

In 1971, he joined the Nixon administration, and in 1972 was appointed Principal Deputy U.S. Trade Representative with the rank of Ambassador. During his tenure, he was the first U.S. official to call for the creation of a Transpacific economic cooperation organization and played a key role in launching the Tokyo Round of world trade negotiations. He was instrumental in the drafting "fast track trade negotiations" in the Trade Act of 1974. Under President Ford, he also served as a special adviser on global economic and security issues.

Following his public service, he was a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution and served as an adviser to the Senate Finance Committee. He later returned to academia as a Professor of Business and Public Management at George Washington University.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, he was a Trustee of the Trade Policy Research Centre in London, traveling and lecturing alongside noted physicist Herman Kahn. Throughout his career, he advised global financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and world leaders. In the mid-1980s, former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda invited him to serve as a policy adviser to the Interaction Council. He also advised several presidential commissions, the Secretary General of the OECD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and numerous political leaders across Europe and Asia.

In 1998, he co-founded the Cordell Hull Institute alongside former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, serving as its chairman until 2008.

Even in his later years, Harald remained active, publishing articles and recording podcasts, always eager to share his insights and continue his lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

A Devoted Family Man

Beyond his professional achievements, Harald was a dedicated father and friend. Lovingly known as "Pop" by his children, he will be deeply missed on his family farm, where he found solace and joy.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Malmgren, and their three children: Markus Harald Malmgren, Viivianne Vaike Malmgren, and Liivia Linda Malmgren. He is also survived by his children from a previous marriage: Erika Malmgren, Karen Phillipa Malmgren, and Britt Malmgren, as well as four grandchildren.

More than his profound impact on the world stage, Harald will be remembered as a man of wisdom, warmth, and unwavering support for his family and friends. He had an enduring sense of humor, no matter life's hardships, and was always willing to lend an ear at any hour to those seeking his guidance. Harald’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the pursuit of knowledge, cooperation, and progress. He will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 10 AM, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9108 John S. Mosby Highway, Upperville, VA 20184 followed by a light lunch reception at Boxwood Winery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Specially Adaptive Resource Centers (SPARC) https://sparcsolutions.org/product/wc-donation-your-gift-to-sparc/

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