With tariffs and nationalism, Trump intended to master, but triggered a movement of resistance and innovation in the world markets
The “America first” ideology of US President Donald Trump, which generally prioritizes the National to the detriment of the International, is based on the assumption that the world needs more of America than the world. This can be true for the status quo. The US is the largest importer in the world and are among the largest exporters, according to the World Integrated Trade Solution, a database provided by the World Trade Organization. And their policies are already being felt: factories in China are struggling to meet their order portfolios due to increased export costs for the US.
But changes are underway. Countries are finding ways to respond to Trump’s nationalist gestures.
Southeast Asia nations, which have been impacted by Trump’s tariffs, are joining to increase intra-regional trade and diversify their export destinations. China, after evaluating the severity of Trump’s threats, seems to be ready to strengthen its fiscal stimulus and is also expanding to other markets abroad.
It is not as if the US had a monopoly of all aspects of international affairs. China controls much of the rare land elements supply chain as well as critical minerals such as nickel and copper. Trump’s green light for deep water mining is a sign that the US is trying to reach China.
A “America First” policy can have the opposite effect as it leads other countries to take action that can leave the US behind.
Asian markets go up
The main US indexes rose on Friday, completing the week in Positivo. The S&P 500 rose 0.74% on Friday, marking its first four-day sequence of earnings since January. Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.26% and Dow Jones Industrial Averaga rose 0.05%. However, the futures of stock retreated slightly on Sunday night, local time.
Asia-Pacific markets rose on Monday. Nikkei 225 from Japan added about 0.4%. Toyota Motor shares listed in Tokyo rose approximately 3.7% based on reports that the company is exploring a potential agreement of 6 trillion yen ($ 42 billion) to acquire Toyota Industries.
China asks for more economic support
China plans to help companies in difficulties with “multiple measurements” and called for “timely reductions” in interest rates in the face of “growing external shocks”, according to a reading of a Polytburo meeting chaired on Friday by President XI Jinping, translated by CNBC.
The Politburo meeting, China’s second most powerful political agency, occurs while trade war between the US and China heats up.
Factories in China interrupting work
Chinese manufacturers are pausing production and sending workers home as the impact of US tariffs settles, according to companies and analysts.
This phenomenon is occurring mainly at the export centers of Yiwu and Dongguan for now, said Cameron Johnson, senior partner of Tidalwave Solutions consultancy, headquartered in Shanghai.
But Chinese companies are already turning to customers in Europe and Latin America to compensate for the slowdown of exports to the United States.
Trump signs order to boost deep water mining
US President Donald Trump signed a wide executive order on Thursday to accelerate the controversial practice of deep water mining, which uses heavy machines to remove minerals and metals from the bottom of the sea.
The measure tries to ensure America’s access to strategic minerals such as nickel, copper and elements of rare land, compensating for China’s dominant position in critical mineral supply chains.
Southeast Asian countries turn to the other
Export -oriented Asian countries were harshly hit by Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs and the subsequent trade war between the US and China. China is one of the largest business partners of these countries, while the US serves as a strategic partner in areas such as Defense and Development.
However, instead of choosing one side, the nations of the region are developing their own economies and strengthening commercial ties.
With information from CNBC*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/04/28/paises-estao-se-afastando-dos-eua-em-meio-as-politicas-de-trump/
