Energy Dominance Starts with Free Markets, Not Export Bans

America has an opportunity to build on its position as the global leader in energy production, but doing so will require policies that empower American businesses and encourage investment and innovation. That is why Americans for Free Markets (AFFM) recently joined two coalition letters focused on moving America’s energy and critical minerals future forward.

The first letter, organized by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), urges the administration to reconsider a proposed ban on diesel exports. The second calls on Senate leaders to advance legislation designed to strengthen U.S. energy security and critical mineral supply chains with other allied countries.

American Energy Must Remain Competitive

The proposed diesel export ban is an example of how a policy intended to address high prices could create a ripple effect of unintended consequences. Restricting exports of a globally traded product like diesel would disrupt established supply chains while weakening incentives for refiners to maximize production and invest in additional capacity.

As noted in NTU’s coalition letter, an export ban could produce temporary price effects in some areas without delivering necessary lasting relief for American consumers. To lower energy costs over the long term, the U.S. must make it easier to produce more American energy.

Doing so means removing unnecessary barriers to investment, streamlining permitting, and allowing businesses to build the infrastructure America needs. The U.S. has not built a large-scale refinery in 50 years, making it even more important to create an environment where companies can invest in new capacity. To that end, the Senate has taken meaningful steps to help modernize the permitting process with the introduction of the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 to help expedite the construction of infrastructure projects across industries.

Strengthening Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Critical minerals are essential to advanced technologies and national security, yet the U.S. remains dependent on foreign supply chains for many of these resources. That is why AFFM joined a coalition letter urging the Senate to advance the Energy Security Pacts Act (S. 4392) and the Critical Minerals Partnership Act (S. 2550), along with remaining provisions of the House-passed DOMINANCE Act.

These proposals strengthen U.S. supply chains by working directly with our allies to diversify our access to critical minerals and energy resources while creating greater opportunities for private investment. Doing so reduces uncertainty and gives American businesses more opportunities to compete with state-backed investment from countries like China.

Keeping America Competitive

America does not have to choose between energy security and free markets. By expanding domestic production, removing unnecessary barriers to infrastructure and working with allies to build resilient supply chains, the U.S. can put its resources to work and strengthen its position as a global energy leader.