TSMC Expands US Chip Factory Aligning With America First Policy

President Trump has employed a populist approach to his tariff policies, urging large retailers like Walmart to absorb tariff costs rather than passing them on to consumers, despite warnings from CEOs and economists about inevitable price increases. The Trump administration recently eased tariffs on Chinese imports from 145 percent to 30 percent in a 90-day pause, but critics argue this temporary measure does not address deeper structural economic issues, including intellectual property rights and supply chain dependencies. Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is building a highly guarded advanced chip factory in Arizona, which Trump cites as a key success of his 'America First' strategy, although the facility highlights contradictions in the administration's approach to reshoring manufacturing. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended tariffs as a means to modernize manufacturing and generate revenues, emphasizing precision manufacturing over traditional industries, but skepticism remains about their effectiveness in creating broad-based American jobs. Public opinion has soured on the tariffs, with concerns about rising costs and economic instability, as major shipping volumes decline and forecasts suggest a potential recession. Overall, the administration's trade and manufacturing policies face criticism for lacking strategic clarity and risking economic disruption while attempting to revive American manufacturing.