Tariffs didn’t bring manufacturing jobs back to the US

Global trade is undergoing a fundamental shift from open globalization to a fragmented landscape defined by economic security and geopolitical volatility. Altana CEO Evan Smith explains how software now serves as critical infrastructure for managing this complexity, utilizing AI to navigate rising trade barriers and customs requirements. While tariffs were intended to reshore manufacturing, data indicates they have primarily rerouted supply chains through third-party nations rather than creating domestic jobs, often accelerating industrial automation instead. As nations increasingly weaponize economic choke points, the focus has shifted toward supply chain traceability and provenance to ensure resilience. By federating data across public and private sectors, Altana provides a shared map of trade, enabling organizations to proactively simulate risks and maintain stability in an environment where economic interdependencies are being tested by global conflict.