Trump’s Trade Triumph: A Bold Stand Against China, But American Businesses Pay the Price

In a move straight out of a high-stakes chess game, President Donald Trump scored a major victory for American sovereignty this past Wednesday, rallying 75 nations to negotiate trade and tariffs while leaving Communist China isolated on the global stage. This decisive action not only sidestepped a looming bond market catastrophe but also sent a clear message: the United States will no longer bow to Beijing’s economic manipulation. Yet, as we celebrate this win, we must acknowledge the battle scars borne by American businesses and workers caught in the crossfire of this trade war.

Let’s be clear: Trump’s strategy was nothing short of brilliant. Like a modern-day David facing Goliath, he took on the world’s economic powers and exposed China’s predatory practices for what they are. For decades, China has exploited its entry into the World Trade Organization, granted 25 years ago under the naive hope that trade would democratize its authoritarian regime. Instead, Beijing weaponized its economy, stealing intellectual property, exploiting slave labor, and outcompeting Western industries with artificially low costs. From textile factories shutting down across the globe to Hollywood censoring itself to appease Chinese audiences, the promise of “free trade” with China became a one-way street to American dependence.

Trump saw through the mirage. Unlike his predecessors, who turned a blind eye to China’s growing stranglehold on U.S. debt and markets, he recognized Beijing as both a partner and a rival—perhaps even an enemy. His first term ignited a trade war that began decoupling our economy from China’s grip, a process interrupted by Joe Biden’s presidency, tainted by questionable ties to Beijing through his son, Hunter. Now, back in the White House, Trump has doubled down, leveraging control over strategic trade routes like Greenland and the Panama Canal to force the world to choose: align with America’s free market values or side with China’s oppressive regime.

The result? A global trading bloc forming around the U.S., with China left out in the cold. Whether by cunning calculation or relentless pressure, Trump has reshaped the battlefield. But victories come at a cost, and right now, thousands of American businesses—from mom-and-pop shops to small manufacturers—are reeling from the fallout.

Take Rick Woldenberg, a patriotic entrepreneur running Learning Resources, a century-old family business that produces educational toys in the Midwest. His company, which employs 500 Americans, was hit with a staggering 145% tariff on Chinese imports, ballooning his tax bill from $2.3 million to $100.2 million overnight. For Rick, this isn’t just a policy shift—it’s an existential threat. “At 20% tariffs, we got the message to move production,” he told me. “At 145%, the message is: Die.” Unable to shift his supply chain fast enough, Rick faces the prospect of layoffs, lost legacy, and a shuttered business. He’s not alone. Thousands of small companies, lacking the resources of giants like Apple, are staring down the same barrel.

This is where faith and wisdom must guide us. As Americans, we know that standing for what’s right often demands sacrifice. Trump’s fight against China isn’t just about economics—it’s about defending American values against a regime that persecutes believers, enslaves Uighurs, and seeks global dominance. Yet, we also have a duty to care for our neighbors, the hardworking families whose livelihoods hang in the balance. Rick’s plea for a “Christmas truce”—a 90-day pause on China tariffs to match the reprieve given to other trading partners—deserves a hearing. It’s a practical step to let businesses like his fulfill Christmas orders, keep workers employed, and buy time to relocate production. Without it, we risk a “contagion effect” of closures and layoffs that could chill the holiday season and weaken our economic resolve.

President Trump has shown he can lead with boldness, but true leadership also means tempering strength with mercy. A temporary tariff pause could provide the breathing room our entrepreneurs need to regroup and join the fight, ensuring we don’t win the war only to lose the home front. As Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Let’s pray that God guides our president to balance this righteous stand with compassion for those bearing the cost.

The trade war with China may have been inevitable, but its toll on American workers doesn’t have to be. Trump has laid the foundation for a freer, stronger America. Now, let’s make sure our businesses and families can stand tall alongside him.