The world stands at the crossroads of a seismic economic transformation. On one side, the United States is doubling down on protectionist policies, enforcing tariffs on key trading partners to revive its domestic manufacturing industry. On the other, China is rapidly expanding its trade footprint, solidifying its position as the world’s manufacturing powerhouse. While the U.S. aims to reclaim industrial dominance, China is forging deep economic ties with the Global South, eliminating tariffs on goods from the least developed countries and investing heavily in infrastructure projects through its Belt and Road Initiative. This moment in globalization marks a shift in economic power, with China taking an increasingly dominant role while the U.S. attempts to counterbalance its influence.
