The global economy has always relied on balance. Not just of trade, but of trust, cooperation, and the willingness to play the long game. Lately, that balance feels increasingly under strain.

Over the past several years, we have seen a return to zero-sum thinking. Countries measuring success by how much more they export than import. Politicians calling for tariffs to protect domestic interests without fully considering the consequences. Much of this has been framed as strength, but the truth is, it often weakens the very systems we all rely on to grow.

Let’s take trade surpluses. There is a narrative that suggests countries running surpluses with the United States are somehow taking advantage. That if one side sells more than it buys, something unfair must be happening. But trade is not a scoreboard. A surplus or deficit does not automatically point to winning or losing. It reflects the structure of demand, investment flows, and the role each country plays in the global economy. And when decisions are made based on simplified headlines, rather than long-term understanding, the impact ripples across industries and borders.

Tariffs are another example. When these policies shift depending on election cycles or sentiment, it creates uncertainty. That uncertainty affects investment decisions, product launches, and supply chain planning. In short, it introduces risk, and risk comes at a cost. The theory of raising tariffs to address trade deficit is flawed because it undermines investment and trade in the long run. And it increases the real cost of imported goods and any reciprocal retaliation ends up hurting exports.

Businesses like ours do not just build for today. We build for five, ten, sometimes even fifteen years down the line. For that kind of planning to work, we need stability, predictability, and a shared understanding of the rules we operate within. With looming uncertainties over future tariffs, companies are likely to delay capacity expansion and therefore, less job creations.

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