J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio recently came together at a gala celebrating the fifth anniversary of American Compass, a Washington think tank, to discuss the evolving economic perspectives on the Right.
Held at the National Building Museum, the event featured both speakers reflecting on how national policies have shifted since the organization’s inception five years ago.
Vance, in particularly pointed remarks, emphasized the lack of inquiry regarding supply chain vulnerabilities during the hyper-globalized era.
He noted, “What was so crazy about the hyper-globalized era is that you had these basic questions about the brittleness of our supply chains that were completely uninvestigated by the very people who supported globalizing those supply chains.
We were actually governed by complete morons, and we didn’t even realize it until the Trump administration started to get underneath the hood.”
Rubio echoed these sentiments, recounting his experiences growing up in the 1980s amidst the Cold War and how the geopolitical landscape shifted dramatically after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.
According to Rubio, the prevailing belief at that time was that America’s victory in the Cold War would lead to a universally prosperous and democratic world.
However, both speakers lamented that this vision has not materialized, urging a renewed focus on revitalizing American manufacturing.
Rubio framed this emphasis on national interests within the context of recent foreign policy, indicating that for years, the focus had been on what would benefit the global economy rather than what was best for the United States.
“Reversing course will be one of the great challenges of the 21st century,” he stated, underscoring that this effort will be a multigenerational task.
Vance, who engaged in a thoughtful conversation with Oren Cass during the event, reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of hardworking Americans.
He asserted, “I just want normal people who work hard and play by the rules to have a good life.”
Highlighting former President Trump’s role in recognizing the shortcomings of globalization, Vance praised the American electorate for their insights into what they needed from the economy.
He argued that the places where products are manufactured also become centers for design capabilities, leading him to advocate for increased domestic production.
In a candid prediction, Vance estimated that moving towards sound economic policies would be a lengthy endeavor, spanning over two decades.
“Fundamentally, that’s why Donald Trump is the President of the United States,” Vance concluded.
“He was the first mainstream American politician to come along and say, ‘This isn’t working.’ These trade deals are not working for the normal people who power our economy.”
The gala not only showcased the thoughts of Vance and Rubio, but also served as a platform to highlight a significant ideological shift within conservative economic circles.
As the Right finds its footing in the post-Trump era, both speakers’ commitment to prioritizing domestic welfare and manufacturing reflects a broader desire among conservatives to recalibrate their approach to economic policy.
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