Engaging in assertive trade policies, especially concerning China, resulted in adverse consequences for American businesses and consumers. According to Brookings, the repercussions of Trump’s tariffs were predominantly shouldered by domestic firms and consumers, bearing the brunt of the associated costs. While certain workers in industries competing with imports experienced positive outcomes, those reliant on imported inputs and participants in export-oriented sectors encountered retaliatory measures from trade partners, creating challenging circumstances for them to navigate.