Protectionist discourse: A new chapter in American politics
The rise of protectionism in the United States has been interpreted by several analysts as a movement that challenges free trade logic. This trend, which some consider economically irrational, is presented as a reaction against the costs of globalization for the US economy. At a time when the liberal narrative had dominated, the return to tanks and protectionist measures generates a certain bewilderment in the economic landscape.
Factors promoting paradigm shift
Two key elements help to understand this change: the rise of China as a global power and the interests of US capital. Competition with China has shown the need for a re-evaluation of commercial policies, at a time when American industries face a new market reality.
The context of global competence
With the rise of Chinese technological products in sectors such as artificial intelligence or electric vehicles, American companies have begun to see tariffs as a necessary tool to protect themselves. This situation contrasts with the era of bonanza that free trade had promoted, when companies could take advantage of lower production costs in China.
The continuity of globalization: an undeniable reality
Despite protectionist measures, recent data indicate that globalization has not been significantly receded. The Kof Globalization Index has maintained its levels, showing that the world economic interconnection continues. This suggests that, despite the current rhetoric, the world is still a fabric of complex commercial relations.
Perspectives on a second term of Trump
Some analysts provide that a possible second term of Trump could mark a change in the protectionist approach. Some believe that the President has learned to maneuver between the interests of the great capital and their own aspirations. However, others question whether there is really an independent agenda that is not aligned with corporate interests.
The relationship between politics and great capital
The interaction between protectionist policies and the interests of capital is evident. Tariff measures can be used as tools to ensure access to strategic resources or to pressure other nations. This dynamic seems to strengthen a nationalist narrative that disassociates the responsibilities of the working class of the true structural factors of its precariousness.
The dilemma of globalization and its implications
The debate on globalization is complicated when considered the trilemma proposed by Dani Rodrik, which raises the incompatibility between democracy, national sovereignty and globalization. This perspective helps to understand how political movements, including the far right, have taken advantage of these tensions to promote agendas that, in appearance, challenge globalization while, in fact, can be eroding democratic foundations.
An uncertain future
As global dynamics continue to evolve, the future of American trade policy is complex. The need to maintain commercial relationships and pressure to protect national interests could lead to a precarious balance between protectionism and globalization, with consequences that we cannot yet foresee.