John Jovanovic is the President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. After years of mismanagement, Ex-Im is now profitable and has become a key driver of American reindustrialization. How did he turn the bank around? What's behind a new $12 billion critical mineral reserve to secure supply chains? And how is he seeing AI impact factory floors across America?
The grandson of a Chicago steelworker, Jovanovic spent his career in energy, commodities, and supply chains — most recently as Chief Strategy Officer at Asplundh, the largest provider of critical infrastructure services across North America. He went on to serve in the first Trump administration at the Development Finance Corporation, where he opened the DFC's first overseas office to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the Balkans. In the fall of 2025, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead the Export-Import Bank.
We begin with Jovanovic's turnaround of Ex-Im: he lays out his key reforms and explains why he spent his first hundred days in the building instead of traveling the country. Next, we dive into Project Vault, the $12 billion public-private critical mineral reserve he announced alongside President Trump to shore up American supply chains. Then, we explore his thesis behind the "revenge of the physical world," why AI is a shot in the arm for reindustrialization, and what Jovanovic is seeing on factory floors across the country. Finally, we discuss the backlash against data centers and lay out the case for AI optimism and how to ensure all Americans benefit from this massive opportunity.
(00:00) Episode intro
(02:00) If you can’t manufacture, you can't innovate
(09:00) Grandson of a steelworker; John’s background
(11:18) Countering Chinese & Russian influence in the Balkans
(15:55) Senate confirmation & how to build bipartisan support
(21:45) How John made Ex-Im profitable again
(28:10) Securing supply chains: $12B critical mineral reserve
(35:40) Superhuman strength: AI & reindustrialization
(38:08) Addressing data center backlash & AI safety
(41:57) Optimism for DC & America’s future
