Divergent Strains in the America First Movement

The America First movement is not a monolithic entity but encompasses various factions, particularly the national libertarians and national protectionists. Both groups reject traditional neoliberal ideals but do so for different reasons. National protectionists advocate for onshoring and ending trade relationships to strengthen the U.S. economy, while national libertarians suggest enhancing ties with nations like South Korea and India to reduce dependence on adversarial economies like China. This distinction highlights the ongoing debate within the movement regarding how best to build a self-sufficient and resilient economy.