“D-Day April 2nd”: The Shockwave That Rocked Globalization
How Trump’s Tariffs Triggered Global Realignment—and What Comes Next
On April 2, 2025—dubbed “D-Day”—President Trump launched sweeping tariffs, shaking the foundation of global trade. With a universal 10% import tariff and targeted levies on China and the EU, the U.S. triggered retaliation from major economies, including swift countermeasures from China. Financial markets tumbled, inflation forecasts rose, and global supply chains reeled. Long-term trust in the U.S. as a reliable trade partner has eroded, prompting companies and consumers worldwide to seek alternatives.
Nations are accelerating free trade agreements—like RCEP, CPTPP, and AfCFTA—excluding the U.S. and forming a new, decentralized model of globalization. While the U.S. still accounts for 25% of global GDP, it represents just 4% of the population and up to 15% of global pollution—further incentivizing a pivot away. The world is not decoupling from globalization; it’s decoupling from the U.S. The future belongs to agile, regional, and resilient trade—fueled by trust, not tariffs.
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