America’s 55th Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, addressed the Export-Import Bank of the United States annual conference on Wednesday, delivering strong praise for the agency’s role in advancing U.S. economic and national security priorities.
Burgum was introduced by EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic, who described their professional relationship as both extensive and hands-on, noting the “pleasure of working with and traveling all around the world” and “seeing him in action.”
Jovanovic credited Burgum’s leadership as “tremendous,” particularly in advancing what he described as “common sense regulation.”
A former governor of North Dakota, Burgum has built a reputation as a business leader and entrepreneur, widely associated with the state’s energy expansion during his tenure.
Taking the stage, Burgum praised EXIM’s leadership, highlighting what he called “the most talented team we’ve ever had at the EXIM bank.” He pointed to one of the conference’s recurring themes: the bank’s financial turnaround. Burgum congratulated Jovanovic on EXIM’s return to profitability, a milestone he framed as critical after a decade-long gap.
Secretary Burgum also underscored EXIM’s bipartisan backing, urging Congress to act swiftly on its reauthorization. Beyond financing exports, Secretary Burgum reflected on EXIM as a strategic asset, particularly in strengthening supply chains and securing access to critical minerals, areas increasingly tied to national security.
As a member of the Trump administration, Secretary Burgum spoke more broadly on the results of the administration.
“We basically turned the ship around 180 degrees,” Burgum said, referencing the America First agenda under Donald Trump and its emphasis on prioritizing American workers.
“American greatness is based on innovation,” Burgum said, pointing to the nation’s longstanding culture of invention and entrepreneurship. He invoked the country’s 250-year framework rooted in free speech and the pursuit of ideas, noting that figures such as Benjamin Franklin embodied that entrepreneurial spirit.
“We have a lot of great role models in our past, and certainly right now, we’ve got commander in chief. The deal maker in chief,” Burgum said.
“The difference in having an administration which is funded on pro business versus anti business makes a huge difference in our position in the world, and American business world,” he added.
Burgum said that the Export-Import Bank of the United States “knows the American way,” framing its mission as central to U.S. competitiveness abroad.
“When we build it here and export it to our friends and allies, that’s when we that’s when our nation thrives, and that’s when we can out compete the world on our own,” he said, aligning the strategy with broader economic priorities.
“Buy American build the future,” Burgum said is “more than just a slogan.” He understands it as a strategy.
Burgum outlined core priorities under the Trump administration, including strengthening domestic employment, pursuing energy dominance, and securing supply chains. Energy independence, a recurring theme throughout the EXIM conference, featured prominently in his remarks.
“If energy is the foundation economy. The minerals, critical minerals are the backbone,” said Burgum.
Burgum concluded by tying American innovation to tangible outcomes. “We were a nation that was great at building things,” he said, while criticizing regulatory barriers that, in his view, have slowed progress in the past.
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