Since taking office in 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policy aimed to redraw the map of the global economy through massive tariffs. However, accumulated evidence suggests that this so-called 'tariff war' has had a much more limited effect than promised. Instead of quickly reindustrializing the United States or reducing the global trade deficit, the outcome has been a partial reorganization of trade and increasing pressure on the North American region itself.

Various analyses indicate that while tariffs have altered trade routes, they haven’t significantly shifted the global imbalance. For instance, in 2025, the total U.S. trade deficit barely decreased, and the deficit in goods reached record levels, driven by technological imports and the diversion of trade towards other Asian countries. The cost of these tariffs has primarily fallen on U.S. consumers and businesses, leading to increased prices and impacting growth negatively.

The implications of these findings suggest that the tariff war may not only undermine U.S. economic resilience but could also strain relationships with key trading partners. As global trade continues to be reshaped under this new tariff regime, the lasting impacts on industries, consumer prices, and international relations will need closer examination as the world navigates these economic challenges.