The Business Impact of US Trade Dominance Will Soon Begin to Crack Explained
What Is This About?
Overview
Cory DoctorowBusinessDec 26, 2025 6:30 AMUS Trade Dominance Will Soon Begin to CrackSavvy countries will discover there’s a way to mitigate the harm incurred by Trump’s tariffs—and it’ll boost their own economies while making goods cheaper too ILLUSTRATION: JACK TAYLORSave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyIn 2026, the leaders of America’s (former) trading partners are going to have to grapple with the political consequences of tit-for-tat tariffs A tariff is a tax paid by consumers, and if there’s one thing the past four years have taught us, it’s that the public will not forgive a politician who presides over a period of rising prices, no matter what the cause
Why This Matters
Luckily for the political fortunes of the world’s leaders, there is a better way to respond to tariffs Tit-for-tat tariffs are a 19th-century tactic, and we live in a 21st-century world—a world where the most profitable lines of business of the most profitable US companies are all vulnerable to a simple legal change that will make things cheaper for billions of people, all over the world, including in the US, at the expense of the companies whose CEOs posed with Trump on the inaugural dais READ MOREThis story is from the WIRED World in 2026, our annual trends briefing
Key Insights
In 2026, countries that want to win the trade war have a unique historical possibility: They could repeal their “anticircumvention” laws, which make it illegal—a felony, in many cases—to modify devices and services without permission from their manufacturers
Over the past two decades, the office of the US Trade Representative–which is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy—has pressured most of the world into adopting these laws, hamstringing foreign startups that might compete with Apple (by providing a jailbreaking kit that installs a third-party app store), or Google (by blocking tracking on Android devices), or Amazon (by converting Kindle and Audible files to formats that work on rival apps), or John Deere (by disabling the systems that block third-party repairs), or the Big Three automakers (by decoding the encrypted error messages mechanics need to service our cars)
Industry Impact
This development is expected to influence the technology industry, highlighting ongoing changes in innovation, competition, and adoption.
Final Thoughts
As the technology landscape continues to evolve, stories like this demonstrate why staying informed is increasingly important.
Why This Matters Right Now
This issue is becoming increasingly important as cost, risk, and long-term impact are drawing attention from businesses and users alike.
Real-World Impact
In real-world scenarios, this development could influence decision-making, technology adoption, and competitive positioning.
Risks and Limitations
Despite its potential, there are concerns related to scalability, security, regulatory challenges, and hidden costs.
Final Thoughts
Understanding this topic early can help readers make informed decisions and prepare for what comes next.
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