Around the world, nations stand at a crossroads. Whether they choose the path of economic freedom — as President Donald Trump is doing in the United States — or socialism will determine not only their material prosperity, but the security and flourishing of their people. That’s the core finding of the Heritage Foundation’s just-released "2026 Index of Economic Freedom." Pro-growth policies are an investment in the people who make nations strong, resilient and prosperous. -That is certainly the approach President Trump took in 2025. Setting the stage for America’s comeback and paving the way for greater economic dynamism, his policy choices arrested the precipitous decline of America’s economic freedom. America’s Index score for President Joe Biden’s final year in office was its lowest ever. - Driving our post-Bidenomics surge were lower inflation, fiscal reforms and investment freedom, all of which spurred private-sector growth. Contrary to elite handwringers inside the Beltway, no one should be surprised. Lower taxes and fewer, fairer regulations have always boosted dynamism, incentivized entrepreneurship, and sharpened America’s competitive edge.This has been the consistent finding of the Index for the U.S. and the world for decades. Once again in the 2026 Index, nations with greater economic freedom, like Singapore, Switzerland and Ireland, enjoyed high incomes, innovation and institutional strength. And yet, the world remains mired in narrow-minded, short-sighted Marxist superstitions about political elites’ ability to spend their countrymen’s hard-earned money better than they can spend it themselves.-Indeed, the most inspiring story of this year’s Index may be the economic renaissance underway in Central and South America that have embraced economic freedom. Chile has long outperformed its neighbors, both in freedom and prosperity. Now, conservative leaders in Paraguay, El Salvador and especially Argentina are following its lead, transforming nations long strangled by socialism and its attendant corruption.-Moreover, the Index understands what the Left does not — that economic freedom is true social justice: "Economic freedom must always serve families, communities and the permanent things… [it] strengthens national security, nourishes civil society and improves the quality of life for all citizens."Anyone doubting how much we could use more of that right now needs only to turn on a television. Goodness knows we need as much of it as we can get in America. And all we need for that is for President Trump to stay on his present course. More regulatory reform, spending cuts, domestic energy development, law enforcement — including deportations — and fair trade will keep our economy dynamic, drive prices down and drive wages up.--Our nation is made up mostly of people whose ancestors came here with nothing — and built the great economic engine of the world. The lesson of the latest "Index of Economic Freedom" is that freedom still works and always will for nations with the wisdom and courage to trust their people with it.
