You’ve probably heard Trump—or any number of MAGA politicians—claim that other countries are “ripping America off.” It’s a catchy slogan. Short. Emotional. Easy to digest. But is it actually true?

Well, yes… and no.

It’s not like China or Mexico broke into Detroit and physically stole our factories. What happened is way less dramatic—and way more systemic. Our economy evolved. Our leadership… didn’t. Instead of preparing workers for change, they prioritized corporate profit and left regular people to figure it out themselves.

This post breaks down the truth behind the slogan, what foreign aid and military strategy really do, and why Trump’s new tariff plan won’t save anyone’s paycheck.

What Does “Ripping Us Off” Actually Mean?

When Trump and others say we’re getting ripped off, they’re usually talking about two things:

• The U.S. imports more than it exports (aka we have a trade deficit).

• American companies outsource jobs to countries with cheaper labor.
  
  

  U.S. Trade Balance 1970-2025 in Billions of U.S. $

  

The implication is that foreign countries are playing dirty, while we just sit here and take it. But the truth is more complicated. The U.S. has had a trade deficit for over 40 years. And outsourcing didn’t happen to us—it happened through us. It was a deliberate choice by American companies, and our government enabled it.

Politicians from both parties signed off on trade deals and deregulation that made it easier for corporations to move production overseas. But no one built a backup plan for the people those companies left behind.

Global Trade Isn’t One-Sided

Yes, we import a lot of goods—clothes, electronics, cars, raw materials—but we also export an insane amount:

• Commercial aircraft and aerospace tech

• Agricultural products like soybeans, corn, and wheat

• Oil, gas, and energy equipment

• Software, intellectual property, and high-end services

In 2023, the U.S. exported over $3 trillion in goods and services. We’re not losing in trade—we’re just not sharing the winnings fairly. The profits from globalization largely go to major corporations and shareholders. Meanwhile, workers in small towns and industrial cities watch their communities dry up.

So the problem isn’t that America can’t compete globally—it’s that our system doesn’t support the people doing the actual work.

Foreign Aid and Military Power: It’s Strategy, Not Charity

Another talking point: “Why are we giving billions to other countries when people are struggling right here?”

It’s a fair question, but foreign aid isn’t a giveaway. It’s a power move. Most of that money doesn’t even leave the U.S.—it goes to American contractors, military suppliers, and development firms.

Here’s what foreign aid and military spending abroad actually accomplish:

• They keep markets stable so U.S. companies can operate globally.

• They secure strategic military alliances (think: NATO, bases in Asia).

• They buy political influence—aid recipients often vote with us in the UN.

• They promote U.S. tech and weapons—countries receiving aid often use it to buy American-made gear.

Foreign aid is less about humanitarianism and more about maintaining global dominance. The U.S. isn’t just helping countries out—we’re investing in our own “geopolitical clout”. It’s not generosity. It’s leverage. And it’s rarely altruistic.

The Real Failure: No Plan for the People

The U.S. economy has shifted from agriculture, to manufacturing, to services, to tech and data. That’s normal. Every developed nation evolves like this. But we’re one of the few that didn’t build a serious infrastructure to prepare workers for that shift.

Instead of:

• Investing in trade schools and apprenticeships

• Funding relocation assistance for people in declining regions

• Creating a safety net for displaced workers

• Making tech literacy a national priority

…we gave tax breaks to billion-dollar companies and told laid-off workers to “retrain” without giving them the time, money, or access to do it.

That’s why people are pissed. Not because globalization happened, but because it happened without a parachute for the working class.

Tariffs Aren’t the Fix (No Matter How Loud Trump Says It)

Now Trump’s pushing a new 10% tariff on all imported goods. He says it’ll bring jobs back and make America stronger. But if you remember the last time he did this, it didn’t exactly go as planned:

• Consumer prices rose—especially for basic goods.

• Other countries clapped back with tariffs of their own, hurting U.S. exporters.

• Manufacturing growth slowed, instead of booming.

Tariffs can be useful in targeted, strategic ways—but slapping a blanket fee on everything we import is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. It doesn’t fix the root problem, it just shifts the pain elsewhere, usually to low-income families and small businesses.

Trump has actually been obsessed with tariffs for a few decades now. Check out this PBS breakdown of Trump’s history regarding the topic. 

So, Who Really Ripped Us Off?

It wasn’t China. It wasn’t Mexico. It wasn’t even globalization itself.

It was our own government—across multiple administrations—that failed to invest in its people while rewarding corporations for chasing cheap labor and high margins overseas.

If we want a better future, slogans and tariffs won’t cut it. We need:

• A serious investment in education and job training

• Infrastructure to help workers transition into new industries

• Fair tax policy that doesn’t let the top 1% hoard all the benefits

• A global trade strategy that includes everyone, not just the elite

Final Thought: The problem was never “the rest of the world.” The problem is how we chose to respond to it. If we really want to put America first, it starts with investing in the people already here.

References:

Risky Business: The Role of Arms Sales in U.S. Foreign Policy
This analysis by the Cato Institute explores how U.S. arms sales are used to bolster allies’ military capabilities, provide leverage over client nations, and support the American defense industry. Cato Institute

How Defense Contractors and Foreign Nations Lobby for Arms Sales
This report details how a network of lobbyists and donors influenced U.S. arms sales, highlighting the intertwining of defense contractors and foreign governments in shaping American foreign policy. OpenSecrets

USAID is More Than a Handout. It’s a Tool of International Diplomacy.
Former U.S. Ambassador David B. Shear discusses how USAID serves as a strategic instrument for American diplomacy, facilitating military cooperation agreements and promoting U.S. interests abroad. Times Union

The U.S. Should Strengthen STEM Education to Remain Globally Competitive
The Center for Strategic and International Studies emphasizes the need for the U.S. to enhance STEM education to maintain its global competitiveness in science and technology. CSIS

Assessing the State of Digital Skills in the U.S. Economy
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reports that the U.S. lags behind other nations in digital skills, posing challenges for economic productivity and competitiveness. ITIF

Center for American Progress: The piece “In Defense of NATO: Why the Trans-Atlantic Alliance Matters” discusses how NATO has contributed to decades of European stability and the benefits of collective defense.​Center for American Progress

Atlantic Council: In “Why NATO Matters,” the article emphasizes NATO’s role in providing economic, political, and military strength, enabling the U.S. to confront global threats while securing its interests.​Atlantic Council

Foreign Policy Magazine: The article “Why Americans Still Need NATO” explores how NATO enhances U.S. strategic leadership and access to global markets and bases.​Foreign Policy