Why China's Hold on American Life Will Remain Unshakable, Tariffs or No

W. Syaban

April 17, 2025

The tariffs will ultimately impact American consumers with lower incomes the most, and they won't succeed in ousting China from its position as the leading manufacturer of common products.

When U.S. President Donald Trump signed the historic tariff orders The individual who initiated the worldwide tariff conflict on April 2 might very well have wielded a pen manufactured in China.

Despite not considering that specific pen, the subsequent administrative work will predominantly involve equipment obtained from Chinese manufacturers, who currently encounter a combined U.S. tariff of approximately 125 percent.

The irony highlights a more profound reality regarding the US-China trade Relationships with tariffs aimed at punishing Beijing frequently result in American consumers bearing the brunt of the costs, all while not diminishing China’s stronghold over common products. Those hit hardest are typically Americans who struggle financially, as numerous items from China they rely on are modest daily essentials.

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American trade statistics highlight an eye-opening fact: roughly 85 percent of the pens and pencils used in the U.S. are manufactured in China. During 2022, imports of pens from Chinese sources amounted to $430 million for American consumers. Notably, prominent companies like Bic and Paper Mate also depend on components sourced from China.

The mountain of bureaucratic documents triggered by the president's reckless economic bet will incur significantly higher costs from now on, with no viable alternatives apparent. China asserts dominance over 80 percent of the worldwide office supplies market.

It goes beyond just the writing tools. When Trump’s devout followers attend church to pray for a win in the trade war, the Bibles they hold are probably also produced... once more in China!

The Amity Printing Company located in Nanjing, China, stands as the globe’s premier manufacturer of Bibles. Since initiating operations in 1987, this company has produced more than 200 million copies of "the good book," with every copy intended for international sale. It is believed that approximately half of these publications end up being sold within the United States. Data from the U.S. International Trade Commission reveals that non-religious China contributes between 70% to 80% of imported religious literature into America.

Even after years of diversification initiatives, one-third of the garlic The cloves consumed by Americans, half of the inexpensive furniture in their houses, and almost 80 percent of their Christmas toys are manufactured in China. Even the wooden frames displaying Trump's esteemed portrait in every governmental office are likely from China, as this country provides 70 percent of the photo frames used in the U.S.

This list could continue indefinitely. The reality is that China’s supremacy in these often underrated, tiny yet crucial everyday products stems from their massive economies of scale and high production efficiency, which make it difficult for manufacturing facilities in America—or anywhere else—to keep up.

Trump's tariffs were designed to revive American manufacturing and reduce dependence on China. But in many areas, domestic manufacturers are simply non-existent. It will take years for them to set up production, rebuild the supply and distribution networks, and match China's scale and effectiveness.

Regardless of how often Trump approves additional tariffs on Chinese products, the initial outcome will be costlier writing materials like pens and paper.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attempted to dismiss the turmoil in the financial markets following the tariff announcements by suggesting that those impacted were mostly affluent individuals, and that American workers—the president's primary backers—would stand to gain from it.

The wealthiest 10% of Americans possess 88% of stocks, whereas the following 40% hold onto 12%. Meanwhile, the least affluent half of the population carries debt burdens; they lease their residences and take out car loans,” he stated during an interview with Tucker Carlson.

The truth is that although some wealthy individuals may have suffered during the recent market downturns, many of them are likely to endure and could potentially recover from these setbacks. However, the tariffs imposed, especially those targeting China and other Asian nations, will primarily impact America’s lower half—the “have-nots.”

This is due to China’s strong influence over the production of small yet essential everyday items. Those who can afford luxuries might find alternative suppliers, whereas people with fewer resources typically end up bearing the burden of increased tariffs.

It’s poetically just that the instruments Trump employed for his trade battle—pens, podiums, and propaganda—were likely crafted by the same economic sphere he aimed to weaken. This underscores that in our interconnected world, attempting economic seclusion proves far simpler in theory than in practice.

While tariffs might appear strong in theory, they frequently end up being an additional cost borne by typical American citizens. Unless the U.S. manages to revitalize its manufacturing sector or persuades buyers to accept higher costs for locally produced essential items, China’s hold over common products won’t be affected, regardless of how many new tariff policies are enacted.