In his first month back in the White House, Donald Trump sent a clear message to the world: make products in the United States, or prepare to pay tariffs.
The US president has already hiked duties on imports of steel, aluminium and any goods made in China. A trade war with Canada and Mexico was avoided – or, at least, delayed – with a last-minute deal. And a wider reciprocal tariff plan is reportedly in the works.
The moves come as no surprise: reshoring production was also a central goal of Trump’s first administration and former President Joe Biden. But they still represent a decisive break from 50 years of US policy focused on embracing globalisation.
The pivot towards protectionism is partly about creating well-paid manufacturing jobs for Americans. But it is also being driven by a deeper force: the shifting dynamics of the US’ rivalry with China, analysts said.
Now, Washington appears to have concluded that it cannot contain China; instead, it must beat Beijing at its own game.
“The lesson from nearly a decade of Made in China 2025 is clear: technological leadership is not just about who invents the future, but who builds it,” said David Lin, senior director at the non-profit Special Competitive Studies Project, at a US congressional hearing in early February.
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