The Great Resolve: America’s Shift from Outsourcing to Ownership

By Tam L.

For decades, Americans have fueled foreign economies, spending billions on inexpensive imports that satisfy their appetite for affordability. From $75 nail salon visits to the flood of cheap goods from overseas, consumer spending habits have long favored low-cost convenience. But the tide is turning. The era of unchecked outsourcing is coming to an end, and with it, a reckoning for companies that have profited off American wallets.

Trump’s Tariff Move and the Retail Shake-Up

The latest shake-up? A sharp decline in U.S. sales for foreign retail giants Shein and Temu. According to Bloomberg Second Measure, Temu’s U.S. sales plunged by as much as 32%, while Shein saw a drop between 16% and 41% during the five-day period starting February 5.

This steep decline follows former President Trump’s recent announcement to eliminate the $800 duty exemption on small parcels from China—a policy that has long benefited platforms like Shein and Temu. Although the rule hasn’t yet been implemented, the mere threat of extra fees has already deterred shoppers, reversing the growth these companies saw in late January. The slowdown has continued through February 9, with seasonal trends and economic conditions adding further pressure.

A New Era: No More Easy Access

For years, platforms like Shein and Temu have operated with a major cost advantage, leveraging China’s supply chain efficiency while bypassing hefty import taxes. That’s changing fast. With tariffs looming and American consumers becoming more aware of trade policies, foreign-owned businesses in the U.S. may soon face even greater restrictions.        

As a response, Shein is urging its suppliers to expand operations in Vietnam, while Temu is restructuring its supply chain under a “half-custody” framework. Their efforts to sidestep new trade barriers highlight a critical reality: America is no longer making it easy for foreign companies to profit at its expense.

America as a Corporation: The Business of Self-Reliance

While critics argue that Trump’s trade policies are aggressive, others see them as necessary corrections to decades of economic dependence. The U.S. operates much like a corporation—and in business, self-reliance is key. For too long, American tax dollars have fueled foreign economies while Washington, D.C., mismanaged its own finances. Now, with government spending under scrutiny and economic priorities shifting, America is being forced to rethink its trade strategy.

2025: The Year of the Great Resolve

If 2024 was the year of exposure—unveiling corruption, economic vulnerabilities, and mismanagement—then 2025 marks the beginning of The Great Resolve. It’s a time for economic restructuring, for reclaiming control over where American dollars flow.

As Shein, Temu, and other global retailers scramble to adjust, the question remains: Will America continue to fund foreign economies, or will it finally invest in itself?

The choice is ours.

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