9 Jobs That Could Suffer During Trump’s Trade War
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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President Trump’s aggressive trade policies are escalating, and millions of American workers are finding themselves in increasingly vulnerable positions. That means entire industries are facing a lot of uncertainty right now, which also means that employment in those industries is at serious risk.
Here are 10 jobs that could take hits, depending on how all this plays out in the coming months.
Agricultural Workers
China and Canada are targeting U.S. agricultural exports directly, so farmers and agricultural workers might face particularly intense challenges. The ripple effects of 15% tariffs on agricultural products would impact an estimated 1.3 million American workers. This sector is a particularly vulnerable target for retaliatory measures, due to its heavy reliance on export markets.
Auto Industry
The automotive sector has been granted a temporary reprieve from immediate tariffs, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still on shaky ground. Threats of 25% tariffs on vehicle imports are still looming, so workers at car manufacturing plants and their suppliers are living in constant uncertainty. The complex international supply chains that characterize modern auto production make this industry especially susceptible to trade disruptions.
Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturing workers across various industries face mounting pressure as tariffs increase production costs. This includes steel workers, workers producing consumer goods and everything in between. Approximately 4.8 million positions could be affected. The combination of higher import costs for raw materials and retaliatory measures which target finished goods creates a double-edged sword for this sector.
Energy Sector
Employees in the oil, gas and coal production industries have been targeted by Chinese tariffs on energy. There are approximately 600,000 workers in these fields. The impact will hit jobs at all levels in extraction, refinement and distribution roles. Rural communities that rely on mining jobs will be hit even harder.
Tech Industry Positions
Workers in semiconductor manufacturing and hardware production will face significant challenges. China’s restrictions on high-tech material exports threaten supply chains. This could also potentially affect research and development positions. Funding for startups and emerging tech companies might be impacted, as well.
Retail
When tariffs drive up the prices of consumer goods, retail workers in major department stores as well as small businesses will face the impact. Higher prices mean less consumer spending, which threatens job security. The effect cascades through the supply chain, affecting warehouse workers, delivery personnel and customer service positions.
Small Businesses
Escalating trade tensions make workers at small businesses vulnerable. They don’t have the resources larger corporations have for weathering economic storms, so small enterprises will struggle with the increased costs and reduced demand. Job losses for small businesses can create ripple effects all throughout local economies, particularly in rural areas.
Transportation and Logistics
If there’s less international trade, truckers, port workers and logistics personnel will have reduced demand for their services. Transportation is directly connected to imports and exports, which makes it very sensitive to trade disruptions. The potential layoffs could spread from major ports all the way to inland distribution centers.
Service Industry
The effects of trade wars can extend far beyond immediate impacts on manufacturing and agriculture. Rising trade tensions could mean reduced business travel, fewer corporate events and tightened budgets. All kinds of hospitality jobs and professional services are considered service workers, so these secondary impacts will affect everyone from hotel staff to business consultants.
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Sources
- Oxford Economics, “Industry will be ground zero for disruption caused by Trump’s North America tariffs.”
