For the first two decades of the 21st century, many consumer products on America’s store shelves got less expensive.
A wave of imports from China and other emerging economies helped push down the cost of video games, T-shirts, dining tables, home appliances and more.
Those imports drove some American factories out of business, and they cost more than a million workers their jobs.
Stung by shuttered factories, cratered industries and prolonged wage stagnation, Americans in 2016 elected a president who vowed to hit back at China on trade.
In separate but overlapping efforts, former President Donald J. Trump and President Biden have sought to revive and protect American factories by making it more expensive to buy Chinese goods.
Persons:
Donald J, Trump, Biden
Organizations:
Walmart, Amazon, Mr
Locations:
China, United States, U.S