Sharon Juve: Tariffs, trade myths, and losing the American edge

To The Daily Sun,

Tariffs were supposed to bring jobs home and rebuild the American economy. But here in New Hampshire, we’re seeing rising prices and shrinking opportunities.

Consumer electronics are up over 10%. Food staples like canned goods, coffee, and rice have climbed 4%–10%. A 25% tariff on auto parts adds hundreds to repair bills — costs passed directly to working families. These aren’t just policies — they’re grocery bills, mechanics' invoices, paycheck erosion.

Manufacturers like Hitchiner in Milford are squeezed by rising input costs. Local farmers are losing export access. We’ve spent decades offshoring supply chains, innovation and skilled labor. Patriotism won’t rebuild infrastructure we’ve already dismantled.

Now comes a quieter threat: China is shifting how it treats foreign patents. While recent reforms signal alignment with international norms, enforcement remains uncertain. If China begins selectively honoring intellectual property — especially in tech, pharmaceuticals, and AI — we may soon face not cheap knockoffs, but high-quality clones of American innovation, with no protection or recourse.

Meanwhile, BRICS nations are expanding rapidly, developing global trade and currency systems that exclude us. The U.S. and Europe make up just 4% of the global population. We can’t afford isolationism dressed up as economic strategy.

We need vision, not slogans. We need to plan for the world we’re actually in — not the one we nostalgically wish for.

It’s time to stop selling myths — and start designing policy that keeps us competitive.

Sharon Juve

Meredith