Economic Freedom, Trade, & Global Leadership

The Challenge

Economic liberty and trade are America’s anchors in the global clean‑energy era.

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How to think about it

At C3 Solutions, we understand that economic freedom fuels innovation, and that open markets enable global competitiveness. Countries with higher economic freedom generally exhibit stronger innovation and environmental performance.

Championing trade rules-based frameworks and eliminating unnecessary barriers strengthens America’s position as a leader in clean-tech and energy markets. When trade enables specialization and technology diffusion, it boosts productivity and expands markets—delivering cleaner energy and enhanced prosperity.

By advocating for regulatory efficiency, fair trade, and strategic economic partnerships, we can out-compete rivals, scale innovation, and sustain our leadership in the global clean-energy transformation.

Our Experts

Oct 2026

Assessing the Real China Critical-Minerals Threat

Critical minerals have become one of the rare subjects of bipartisan agreement in Washington. Anxiety over America’s dependence on raw materials with concentrated and potentially fragile supply chains has driven

May 2026

The Case for Reconsidering Renewable Portfolio Standards

Download the RPS Brief Here. Rising electricity prices in parts of the country have renewed the importance of affordability as a central concern in energy policy. In response, both sides

Apr 2026

Permitting Reform Is Back On. What Should It Include?

Permitting reform is once again on the table, and Congress, along with the Trump administration, has a real opportunity to fix a fundamentally flawed permitting process that hampers energy abundance,

Mar 2026

Investing in Innovation to Cut Energy Costs and Emissions

Introduction Energy policy in the United States stands at a crossroads. Although U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have declined substantially since their peak in 2005, much of this decrease represents a

Dec 2025

Options for Permitting and Regulatory Reform in the 119th Congress

American innovators, inventors, and builders moved mountains to provide families and businesses with the energy and infrastructure needed to power the modern economy. We built the Empire State Building in

May 2025

Full Expensing Is Pro-Growth, Pro-Environment Policy

In this joint white paper, Nick Loris—Executive Vice President of Policy at C3 Solutions—and Josh T. Smith—energy‑policy lead at the Abundance Institute and visiting fellow with C3—propose replacing today’s patchwork

Mar 2025

Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

As Goes Texas, So Can the World Foreword by Jodey Arrington, U.S. Representative for Texas’ 19th Congressional District The world needs more energy. Whether delivering electricity to a community in

Mar 2025

China Is No Green Energy Darling

In one of his first actions as president, Joe Biden signed an executive order suspending new oil and gas leases on federal lands and reviewing existing operations.1 The alleged purpose

Feb 2025

Sending Economic Growth and Emissions in Opposite Directions

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

Climate policy has been largely driven by two overarching narratives: decoupling vs degrowth. The degrowth mentality is that people consume too much, and restricting economic activity is a necessary means

Feb 2025

Toward a Freer, Cleaner Planet

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

The ability of individuals to make their own choices and operate in free societies has demonstrated significant benefits for human flourishing and environmental progress. Greater innovation and entrepreneurship create a

Feb 2025

Free Economies Provide Clean Air and Water

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

Air pollution is one of the highest causes of premature death in the world. The World Health Organization estimates that ambient air pollution and household air pollution cause 6.7 million

Feb 2025

Innovating and Adapting to a Cleaner Planet

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

Innovation triggers images of groundbreaking, transformational inventions. The Internet and online access, smartphones, CRISPR, and, most recently, artificial intelligence all come to mind. However, innovations, large and small, make the

Feb 2025

Economic Freedom and Environmental Performance

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

The Washington D.C.-based Heritage Foundation has published an Index of Economic Freedom for three decades. The Index measures economic freedom by scoring each country in the following categories. Heritage compiles

Feb 2025

Creatively Destroying for a Cleaner Planet

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

I first began driving in 2000. As a directionally challenged adolescent, any drive not to a friend’s house or McDonald’s required directions. Hour-long trips to soccer games with somewhat familiar

Feb 2025

Free Economies are Clean Economies

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2025

The word “abundance” is having a moment right now. In recent years, books, podcasts, and organizations have embraced an abundance movement to improve the planet and the lives of its

Jul 2024

LNG Exports: The Economic, Environmental and National Security Trifecta

In January, President Biden announced a pause on pending decisions for increased liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The pause affects countries that do not have a free trade agreement with

Feb 2024

The Economic and Environmental Case for Immediate Expensing

The House of Representatives recently passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The bill includes provisions that would extend immediate expensing for research and development

Dec 2023

Economic Freedom Breeds Innovation

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2023

Every day, people around the world innovate to make the world a better place. Whether it be breakthroughs in clean power generation, a new vaccine to combat illness, or artificial

Dec 2023

Economic Freedom Provides a Breath of Fresh, Clean Air for the World (Literally)

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2023

Air pollution is one of the highest causes of premature death in the world. It accounts for more fatalities than alcohol use, unsafe water, and unsafe sanitation, combined.1 The World

Dec 2023

Freer Economies Deliver Cleaner Water to Consumers

From Free Economies are Clean Economies 2023

Access to clean water and sanitation are two fundamental human rights,1 yet billions of people around the world are living without them.2 In 2021, more than 2 billion people lived

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