For years, the D.C. and global corporate elites, in the name of free trade orthodoxy, allowed markets and market efficiencies to be an overwhelming influence on policy decisions. Nowhere was that more evident than in the realm of international trade relations, where the United States repeatedly entered into deals that protected and promoted the interests of foreign workers, foreign agriculture, and foreign businesses — but not our own. American workers and American communities were ground beneath the inescapable “progress” that transformed the likes of Shenzhen and Reynosa into productive powerhouses — while the likes of Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh — America’s industrial backbone — slid into decline. Free trade is an intrinsic good, but only if it is also fair trade, and the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) will advance policies that champion free and fair American trade.
Team
The Honorable Larry Kudlow
Chair of the Board and Chair, American Prosperity
The Honorable Robert Lighthizer
Chair, American Trade
Jeff Schlagenhauf
Director, Economy and Trade Policy
Jill Homan
Deputy Director, Trade & Economy Policy, and Campaign Director
Kenzo Takeda
Policy Analyst, Economy and Trade
Steve Moore
Senior Fellow
Latest
Issue Brief
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January 16, 2026
Rebuilding the American Dream: Homeownership for All Americans
Home ownership is increasingly out of reach, driven by price increases from low supply due to excessive regulations, immigration-induced demand spikes, high mortgage rates, and record debt burdens for young Americans. These limitations have severe economic and social effects, from reduced family formation to low economic mobility.
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.
Op-Ed
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November 24, 2025
A New Foreign Policy Of America First, Nations First
The transatlantic relationship, once the strongest, most pivotal, and strategic alliance in the world, is fraught and frail. It’s time we reevaluate foreign policy relationships in a way that demands the excellence of other nations and our own. The new way forward to building an indestructible bond with our allies is by invoking a new strategy of foreign policy—an America First, Nations First approach.
Commentary
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November 14, 2025
The Impacts of America First Trade Deals
In 2024 the United States ran a $1.2 trillion goods trade deficit, the largest on record and equal to roughly 4.1% of GDP. For context, prior to the turn of the century, the goods deficit typically hovered around 1.5% of GDP. The widening gap particularly during the last two decades reflects growing trade imbalances and the steady offshoring of U.S. manufacturing, which have left supply chains, and thereby U.S. economic security, vulnerable during times of uncertainty.
Commentary
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November 13, 2025
How Steel Tariffs Protect American Jobs: Todd Leebow on Fixing the U.S. Steel Industry
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