The Heritage Foundation, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), and Governor Ron DeSantis share a common flaw: none have grasped the formula that propelled former President Donald Trump to victory in 2016. By reconfiguring the GOP’s post-Cold War strategy, Trump positioned himself as socially conservative but fiscally progressive, a balance that remains elusive for these entities.

Trump’s approach aligned with Lee Drutman’s framework, emphasizing economic statecraft—a concept rooted in American history from Alexander Hamilton to Theodore Roosevelt. Yet, nine years after Trump’s 2016 campaign, the Heritage Foundation and AFPI continue to resist prioritizing industrial policy, despite Frank Buckley’s analysis of Drutman’s “Republican Workers Party” model.

DeSantis, whose family origins trace to Northeast Ohio—a region once a manufacturing powerhouse—failed to capitalize on this legacy. Instead, he focused on Florida’s record and anti-woke rhetoric, sidelining economic statecraft that could have resonated with working-class voters. The Heritage Foundation’s “Mandate for Leadership” and AFPI’s “America First Agenda” offer detailed policy blueprints but lack a cohesive vision for revitalizing industries like shipbuilding or addressing global competition.

Both organizations underestimate the role of economic statecraft in countering China, with Heritage advocating for reforms to the Jones Act—a policy critical to U.S. maritime strength—and AFPI prioritizing trade agreements over industrial revival. Their reliance on supply-side economics and deregulation reflects a narrow focus on tax cuts, ignoring systemic issues like the tax code’s bias toward capital-light sectors.

While Heritage’s Labor Department chapter introduces progressive labor reforms, it falters by equating “family-sustaining work” with the gig economy, undermining efforts to restore traditional employment models. Similarly, their approach to Big Tech remains fragmented, failing to address monopolistic practices or advocate for modern antitrust measures.

As Trump prepares for a potential 2024 campaign, his advisors must shift from outdated GOP strategies to embrace economic statecraft. Without this pivot, the conservative movement risks remaining disconnected from the industrial and economic challenges facing American workers.