This Is Not a Trade War—It’s Always Been a Class War

Everyone's angry—about inflation, about jobs going overseas, about the rise of China. We hear a lot of outrage about how unfair it all is. But before we point fingers at foreign governments or global corporations, we need to take a hard look in the mirror. Because the uncomfortable truth is: the problem is us.

We Created This

Every time we voted against raising the minimum wage, expanding healthcare, or funding education, we were laying the groundwork for what's happening now. Those decisions lowered the standard of living for millions of Americans. And when the cost of living rises but incomes don't, affordability becomes the only thing that matters. That's the moment the race to the bottom begins—when the only goods people can afford are the cheapest ones, often made overseas.

We didn't get here by accident. Many voted for this or didn't vote at all. Either way, we let it happen.

We Built the Market That Left Us Behind

How many times have you gone looking for "Made in the USA"? How many times did you put it back on the shelf when you saw the price tag? Be honest. American companies don't offshore because they're unpatriotic. They do it because they're following the demand signal we send every day at the cash register. If we build an economy where people won't or can't pay for American-made products, we're building an economy where the jobs won't stay here.

This is not anti-American consumers either. As their purchasing power has eroded over the decades, working and middle-class families need to prioritize their spending. Cheaper goods increased their standard of living, and they were doing the responsible thing for their families. Many would have made purchase decisions from domestic sources if they could, but with limited resources that was impossible.

And when overseas producers step in to fill that gap, we call them the enemy. This is not an apologist approach, but the "theft" of jobs occurred when we as a country left the door unlocked and the alarm off. Eventually, this creates a cycle whereby successful commercialization of products, access to capital, and competitiveness depend on cost to make and price. Like my company, we had no choice but to seek overseas manufacturing because we had exhausted all domestic providers. In our case, it went beyond cost, but for many, it is simply too expensive. Looked at another way, people do not make enough to support the domestic manufacturing that is being proposed.

The Trade War Was a Distraction

As an inventor and small business owner, I care deeply about intellectual property. IP theft is real. The risk of being ripped off—especially by foreign actors—is not just theoretical; it's a daily concern. If the trade war had been designed clearly and transparently to protect American IP and punish bad actors, I would've supported it.

But that's not what happened. The trade war isn't built on protecting innovation or jobs. Frankly, I am not sure what the strategic objective is, but if it were about helping the every day American, it is a solid F. Especially, because it has not been combined with any other programs that would further drive working and middle class prosperity. Instead of taxing the multinationals who offshored jobs and profited from cheap labor, it hits small businesses hardest. Many won't survive. Instead of supporting the inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs who create and sell things here, it buried them in higher costs and uncertainty.

We were told it was a battle for American jobs and industry. It feels like neither. In reality, it was a smokescreen that left the wealthiest untouched and the rest of us footing the bill. Exemptions are already being granted to the same industries that helped create the issue while small businesses suffer and American workers continue to struggle to afford both necessities and luxuries.

We Got What We Paid For

Remember, we built a system obsessed with cheap and disposable. And we got exactly what we paid for—cheap goods, cheap jobs, cheap values. We're angry now that those jobs are gone, but we didn't fight for them when it counted. We didn't demand policy that made it easier to produce here. We didn't reward companies that stayed. We didn't care about sustainability or sovereignty as long as we could afford the next thing on sale.

I feel solidly, that the middle and working class has gotten played in this deal and there is a chance to fix it. Hopefully, someone will demonstrate that reinvesting in American industry can happen smartly. For this, however, we need an informed electorate and competent, committed leaders for that to occur. We as a people own the power to shape the outcome. Are we up to the task?

This isn't just about policy—it's about behavior. It's about what we're willing to support, what we're willing to pay for, and what we're willing to vote for.

The Way Forward

Fixing this starts with honesty—about the system we built and what it will take to change it. Here's what a real path forward looks like:

• Raise Wages Across the Board—Starting with the Minimum Wage - You can't have a strong domestic economy if people can't afford to participate in it. Raising wages isn't just about fairness—it's the foundation of demand. If we want more goods made here, we need to ensure more Americans can buy them.

• Lower Core Costs, Especially Healthcare - Healthcare is the single biggest obstacle stopping Americans from starting businesses or taking risks. Fixing that cost burden—especially for early entrepreneurs—would unleash a wave of small business growth. It's not just a moral issue; it's economic infrastructure.

• Targeted Taxes on the 1% to Offset Tariff Damage on Small Businesses - The wealthiest Americans and multinational corporations reaped the rewards of globalization. If tariffs are part of the plan, the costs shouldn't fall on the backs of small manufacturers and startups. Tax those who benefitted most to support those who now carry the burden.

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