In just 100 days, the Trump administration’s new tariffs have roiled global trade. While some hoped for rapid concessions, netizens and foreign media now warn that this is shaping up as a protracted struggle—a war of attrition.
Data from WTO members show a 3% drop in world trade volume in Q1 2018—the steepest in five years. Businesses in the Chinese mainland and the EU are rapidly diversifying supply chains to emerging hubs like Vietnam and the ROK. On leading logistics platforms, searches for alternative shipping routes surged 20% over the past month.
Entrepreneurs using data-driven agile models are adjusting orders weekly, while agriculture exporters in the U.S. heartland scout new buyers in South America. Sustainability advocates see an opportunity to pioneer greener trade corridors, cutting carbon footprints as freight costs climb.
Policy watchers note that domestic politics in Washington and solidarity among G20 members will shape the next phase. Tariffs are unlikely to vanish overnight—preparing for a long game could be the winning strategy for young global citizens, startups, and changemakers alike.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
