After the Trump-Biden era fades into history, which party will offer an alternative to costly, backward-looking industrial policies? While Vice President JD Vance lectures Europeans on democracy and philosophizes about state-led capitalism, some up-and-coming Republican might stand out by steering the GOP toward a vision of entrepreneurial growth and opportunity. Similarly, the next Democratic leader must do more than attend protest rallies and kowtow to failed progressive dictates. Spouting that Mr. Trump’s tariffs are bad while Democratic tariffs are good won’t help. America’s purpose has to be more than making deals that don’t last, spending money we don’t have and feathering the nests of presidential offspring.
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There’s no shortage of signature issues for candidates. Many Americans are baffled and embarrassed by President Trump’s bullying of our Canadian and Mexican neighbors. As Ronald Reagan explained when launching his campaign in 1979, the U.S. would be better off if both countries were stronger rather than weaker. Reagan even added that we should stop treating our nearest neighbors as foreigners. A stronger North America would be a more powerful global competitor and better armed to address continental problems such as illegal immigration, narcotics and crime, security, and the environment. By contrast, picking a senseless fight with our major trading partners will drive up costs of lumber and housing, cars, and food.
