# Cato Expert: Ideas Trump Resources in Building American Strength 

Throughout President Donald Trump’s second term, he has discussed growing American power and national strength through increased production of goods and energy resources and even through the expansion of American territory.

January 28, 2026 • News Releases 

Throughout President Donald Trump’s second term, he has discussed growing American power and national strength through increased production of goods and energy resources and even through the expansion of American territory.

In a new Washington Post [op-ed,](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.washingtonpost.com*2Fopinions*2F2026*2F01*2F27*2Famerica-strategic-resource-ideas*2F/1/0100019c00bb8ffe-58ce7743-3795-4111-affd-56ebd793ee4d-000000/hnsrjzuS9D2v-wV4FBRO08-oe2M=462___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjU1MDdhMTA4YzcyZDg1MTkxZjhlODU3NzcyMTIwNDQ3Ojc6Y2E1MjozZTZiN2U2YTAzZmU2OWM1NjgzNjUxOGE3MjAyZWJlNzljMjdjNDhkODNlODRjYzBkMDgxNzI2MzFlYTg1NmE4Omg6VDpO) Cato Institute Senior Fellow [Marian Tupy](https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___https://zwly9k6z.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:*2F*2Fwww.cato.org*2Fpeople*2Fmarian-l-tupy/1/0100019c00bb8ffe-58ce7743-3795-4111-affd-56ebd793ee4d-000000/0uqSC1snfHbSOy-g68hZYoiAe7s=462___.YXAzOmNhdG9pbnN0aXR1dGU6YTpvOjU1MDdhMTA4YzcyZDg1MTkxZjhlODU3NzcyMTIwNDQ3Ojc6NzllNTpmZWIyYmQ1NjY5NWY1OTI3NjM3YmU4Y2NjY2ZjMDgzY2E2ZTE5ODM3ZDJkOGNiNzFlMzBkMDc2OWZhOGMyN2FiOmg6VDpO) explains that American strength is derived from fostering new ideas, writing in part:

> *“In the long run, nations do not become rich and safe by hoarding rocks. They become rich and safe by building the rules and habits that turn knowledge into production, and production into strength. They become rich and safe through ideas.”*

To speak with Tupy on the importance of American ingenuity, contact [Christopher Tarvardian](mailto:ctarvardian@cato.org).

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