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The Real Reason Trump Sparked a Global Tariff War
- Alfred 정현 Kim
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Reviving American Manufacturing and the Necessity of Tariffs
The United States stands as the linchpin of the global economy, wielding the dollar’s dominance to ensure liquidity in international finance and trade. Yet, this unrivaled position is a double-edged sword. The over-issuance of dollars fuels domestic inflation, eroding the competitiveness of American manufacturing. The U.S. must maintain the dollar’s global supremacy to bring factories back homewhile slashing production costs. The challenge lies in competing with low-inflation countries like China and Vietnam, where manufacturing thrives on cheaper labor and materials.
Tariffs—notably the 145% levy on Chinese imports as of April 2025—are not a mere policy option but a critical strategy to level the playing field. By raising the cost of foreign goods, tariffs make domestic production more viable, paving the way for a manufacturing renaissance. This column explores the interplay of dollar hegemony, inflation, and production costs, arguing that tariffs are indispensable to revitalizing American industry.
The Trade Deficit Crisis and Manufacturing Decline
In 2005, the U.S. trade deficit hit $58.3 billion, prompting The New York Times to sound the alarm with an editorial titled “Dangerous Deficits.” Paul Volcker, then Federal Reserve Chairman, warned that trade imbalances contributed to the Great Recession. Fast forward to January 2025, and the deficit has more than doubled to $131.4 billion. The lopsided trade relationships with China ($295.4 billion deficit in 2024), the European Union ($235.6 billion), and Mexico ($171.8 billion) have gutted American manufacturing.
Since 1990, New York has lost 59% of its manufacturing jobs, and Ohio 35%. Once-thriving industrial hubs like Detroit and Cleveland are now synonymous with the Rust Belt’s decay. The fallout extends beyond economics, fueling social tragedies. Studies link job losses from trade deficits to a spike in drug overdoses, with the opioid crisis of the 2010s rooted in misguided trade policies.
Yet, some liberal commentators dismiss the urgency. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews scoffed, “What, are we going to make more lumber in America now?” CNN’s Nia Malika-Henderson questioned, “Is it worth upending the global economy for HVAC jobs?” Their remarks imply that preserving low-wage jobs in China outweighs the survival of American workers and national security. This mindset betrays America’s pride and interests.
China’s AI Ascendancy: Vision AI and Robotics
China’s rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly vision AI, drones, and robotics, pose a stark warning to the U.S. According to Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI Institute (HAI) 2025 report, China is closing the gap in AI competitiveness: