Latest
Commentary
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March 2, 2026
Project Vault: Locking in America’s Strategic Supply
On February 2, 2026, President Trump, along with Chairman of the Export-Import Bank (EXIM) John Jovanovic, announced a new initiative to move U.S. critical mineral supply chains away from reliance on China. Project Vault establishes the U.S. Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve intended to store critical minerals essential to America’s defense and industrial supply chains in facilities across the United States.
Statement
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February 20, 2026
AFPI Responds to SCOTUS Ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump
Decision does not weaken case for strong America First trade policy.
Commentary
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February 5, 2026
Preserving Liberation Day Successes
The United States faces urgent economic and national security emergencies from ballooning trade deficits and the influx of fentanyl. The U.S. has run trade deficits for 50 consecutive years, a streak unparalleled in American history, reaching a record high goods deficit of $1.2 trillion in 2024. These consistent and widening trade deficits reflect an erosion of American global shares in key industries such as semiconductors and steel, eviscerating its manufacturing base at the expense of America’s most powerful geopolitical adversary, China.
Public Comment
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December 29, 2025
Request for Public Comments Regarding Prohibition on Use of Reputation Risk by Regulators
America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is pleased to submit its comments on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) and Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), collectively referred to here as “the agencies,” proposed rule that would prohibit the use of reputation risk from their supervisory programs. AFPI supports the agencies proposed rule as it will ensure that regulators are prohibited from pressuring financial institutions to deny or terminate banking privileges for political, religious, or other non-pecuniary reasons. Accordingly, removing reputation risk will strengthen the safety and soundness of the financial system by protecting financial institutions and their customers from regulatory overreach.
Fact Sheet
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December 18, 2025
Setting the Bearings for A Rocky Road Ahead
On October 10, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduced new export controls for both critical minerals[1] (CMs) and rare earth elements[2] (REEs). The CCP implemented a new rule that specifies exports that are used in U.S. military equipment, or those with dual-use applications for military assets, even those containing as little as 0.1% of REEs, are prohibited from being sent to the United States. In response, the Trump Administration moved to secure the United States' national security interests by proposing a 100% tariff on all Chinese goods by November 1, 2025. After Chairman Xi and President Trump met at APEC 2025, China announced that it would delay its export controls for a year, with the U.S. agreeing to do the same on its tariffs.
Experts on Trade
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Defining Issues and Strategies: America First in 2026
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How Steel Tariffs Protect American Jobs: Todd Leebow on Fixing the U.S. Steel Industry
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President Trump’s Asia Trip: America First Strategy for China, Trade, and Global Security
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Debanked: When Political Bias Trumps Financial Judgment
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Steve Moore Breaks Down Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” Tax Cuts, Energy Independence & AI Boom
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Norm Champ On Trump’s Digital Finance Revolution, Crypto, Regulation & Financial Freedom
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America First Unfiltered: Ending the Great Ripoff, Securing Our Future
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An Economic Discussion with the Speaker of the House
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An America First Approach To U.S. National Security
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Larry Kudlow Shedding Light on the Full Costs of the Inflation Reduction Act
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Pulse of the People
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