Trump's Tariffs and the Decline of Western Economic Dominance

In 2025, the return of President Donald Trump to the White House has reignited global economic tensions, as his administration aggressively implements a sweeping tariff strategy aimed at reasserting U.S. economic independence.

- TDG NETWORK

However, rather than bolstering domestic industry, these measures have triggered widespread disruption in international trade, raised fears of a global recession, and exposed cracks in the foundations of Western economic leadership.

TARIFFS AND TENSIONS

The Trump administration's decision to introduce a 10% across-the-board tariff—along with even higher rates targeting strategic sectors such as automotive, electronics, and steel—has provoked significant backlash from some of America's most important trading partners. Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union have responded in kind, imposing retaliatory tariffs on American exports ranging from agricultural goods to manufactured products.

This tit-for-tat escalation has had a chilling effect on global trade. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), international trade volumes are expected to fall by 0.2% in 2025, a drop that could deepen if further tariffs are enacted.