The American consumer has transformed into a relentless buying machine. The cycle of consumption—buy, buy, buy—has become an addiction. Despite representing only 5% of the global population, the U.S. consumes approximately 25% of the world’s resources. This disproportionate consumption has made America the target market for countries worldwide.
The rise of e-commerce platforms and credit card companies has fueled this buying frenzy, leading to skyrocketing debt and a decline in average savings to just 4.6%. Many Americans lack emergency savings, leaving them vulnerable to financial shocks. The consumer never anticipated a slowdown, but it arrived unexpectedly, embodied by Trump—a figure capable of selling even the Bible to Jesus.
Creating products from scratch has never been the American consumer’s forte. Instead, they’ve relied on importing finished or semi-finished goods for resale or direct consumption. Assembly skills, perfected by innovators like Elon Musk, have taken precedence, as manufacturing from scratch is seen as physically and mentally taxing. However, moving forward, manufacturing needs to be better than in the past, innovative, efficient, and sustainable.
Born out of capitalism, the American consumer operates with a singular motto: maximize profits. Importing cheaper materials from abroad isn’t inherently bad—it’s a reflection of America’s capitalist values. Trade policies have been shaped around consumerism, enabling access to resources from every corner of the globe. This shift birthed a new kind of consumer, while manufacturing jobs gradually disappeared, giving way to a focus on the services sector where America has excelled. Let’s not burden the American consumer by expecting abrupt changes in long-standing practices—it’s a delicate balance.
Looking at the current state of the American consumer, the future remains uncertain and may bring burdens. Trade imbalances can only be addressed through strategic policies. America has evolved through various stages, becoming a destination for people worldwide. Progress, however, takes time, it’s not about solving every problem overnight. As the saying goes, running on a train won’t get you to your destination any faster.
The world is intricately connected, and America doesn’t need to play the villain. Trade imbalance isn’t the sole contributor to the U.S. deficit; other factors include an aging population, natural disasters, wealth gaps, social structures, education challenges, and the burden of being a superpower. Reducing the deficit requires a long-term approach.
America has built trust and character through hard work, establishing itself as a global leader. The American consumer can innovate and think ahead. Despite challenges, America continues to lead the world.
