Tariffs Won’t Make America Great Again

Over the past few decades, globalization has driven nations toward deeper interdependence—through trade and investment and the seamless flow of information and IT enabled services. However, the current wave of tariffs imposed on China by the United States signals a pivotal shift. We may be entering a new phase in the global economic order.

The heavy tariffs on Chinese goods by the Trump administration, mark a fundamental reorientation in global trade policy. In order to bring back jobs and revitalizing American manufacturing, the U.S. is now actively seeking to reduce its reliance on China and reroute manufacturing either back home or to strategically aligned nations.

But manufacturing isn’t plug-and-play. It’s not just about machines or cheap labour. It’s about an entire ecosystem—something China has meticulously built over decades:

A deep pool of human capital with specialized skills
Access to essential natural resources
Advanced technological infrastructure and know-how
Efficient logistics and supply chains
A business environment conducive to innovation and scale
China did not become the “factory of the world” by chance. It was the result of long-term strategy, consistent investment, and policy coherence. Replicating this model elsewhere is not impossible—but it requires time, substantial investment, and long-term planning, all of which remain limited in many Western nations, including the U.S. Manpower shortages further complicate the picture. Even if some manufacturing can be relocated, will it be sustainable? Can it match the scale and efficiency of China?

Enter BRICS: The New Face of Global Trade?

As the Western-led global economic order undergoes a transformation, the BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is emerging as a credible alternative. Each nation brings unique strengths to the table, but together, they form a potentially powerful trade and economic alliance:

China: Advanced manufacturing, robust supply chains, and world-class infrastructure
India: A large skilled workforce, global IT services, and a growing consumer base
Russia: Vast energy reserves and critical raw materials
Brazil and South Africa: Agricultural and mineral wealth, along with strategic geographic positions

Collectively, BRICS nations possess many of the essential ingredients for a self-sustaining economic ecosystem—technology, resources, labour, and demand. If they seize this moment wisely, they could usher in a new era of globalization: one that is decentralized, multipolar, and more inclusive.

Goods manufactured within the BRICS bloc could be more affordable for developing nations, bypassing the inflationary pressures triggered by high tariffs from the West. China, in particular, is well-positioned. Even if excluded from Western markets, it can pivot toward BRICS and its expanding network of global partners. It no longer needs to “sell to the West” to keep its factories running—it simply needs to keep selling. China has access to multiple trade options—both formal and informal—that align more closely with its long-term strategic interests.

As the U.S. and Western Europe grapple with rising protectionism, economic nationalism, and inflation, BRICS could well emerge as the new engine of global economic integration—redefining globalization for the 21st century.

Author Profile

Perumal Koshy: Dr. Perumal Koshy is associated with the Enterprise Futures Lab and is a columnist focused on institutional governance and economic systems. He writes on MSMEs, enterprise development, and policy issues affecting small business ecosystems.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caushie/