Trump's Trade War Backfires: US Exports Hit, China's Global Influence Grows

• Donald Trump's trade war, initiated in his first term and expanded in his second, aimed to reduce the US trade deficit and revive manufacturing.
• Tariffs of up to 25% on Chinese goods disrupted supply chains and raised costs for US importers, leading some companies to shift production to Southeast Asia.
• US agricultural exports to China sharply declined due to retaliatory tariffs, with China increasing imports from Brazil, Argentina, and ASEAN states.
• Despite US efforts, China maintained its 30% share of global manufacturing output, and foreign firms expanded production within China, reinforcing its supply chain centrality.
• A global public opinion survey by ECFR indicates a growing belief in a multipolar world, with a majority expecting China's influence to rise by 2030.

Why It Matters: Trump's trade policies unintentionally strengthened China's global economic and diplomatic position, accelerating a shift in global power.