America Works 2040
What if the U.S. called off the tariffs and focused on production at home with a focus on labor market bonds for a longevity approach rather than the quick gains and losses coming from tariffs, most specifically placing us as adversaries to political and economic stability worldwide?
If the U.S. were to call off the tariffs and pivot toward a domestic production-focused strategy—especially one centered on labor market bonds and long-term economic stability—it could lead to a dramatic shift in both domestic and global economic dynamics.
Here's a breakdown of the potential impacts:
Reduced Global Tensions: Ending aggressive tariff policies would likely de-escalate trade conflicts, particularly with China, the EU, and other major economies. This could foster more cooperative global trade relations and reduce the risk of economic retaliation or decoupling.
Improved U.S. Image Abroad: A shift away from protectionism might reposition the U.S. as a more reliable global economic partner, which could enhance soft power and diplomatic leverage in multilateral institutions like the WTO, IMF, and G20.
Onshoring and Reshoring Incentives: A focus on domestic production—supported by incentives like tax breaks, innovation subsidies, or industrial policy—could encourage companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., creating long-term job opportunities.
Strategic Industry Growth: Sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and AI could benefit from sustained investment, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and bolstering national security.
What Are Labor Market Bonds?
These could function like social investment bonds: government-backed or private instruments aimed at funding workforce training, reskilling, and job placement programs—especially for vulnerable or transitioning sectors.
Longevity Approach:
Increased Labor Participation: With the right support systems (education, healthcare, childcare), more Americans could be brought into or retained in the labor force.
Higher Productivity: Reskilling the workforce for high-tech and sustainable industries would raise long-term productivity and wages.
Stabilized Income Equality: A strategic focus on inclusive employment could curb the growing income gap exacerbated by automation and globalization.
Inflation: With a domestic focus and smoother global trade, inflation could remain moderate or decline, as supply chains become more resilient and less exposed to global shocks or geopolitical crises.
GDP/GNP Growth: While the short-term gains may be smaller than the quick boosts sometimes triggered by protectionism, the long-term growth path would be more stable, rooted in innovation, industrial investment, and a strong labor force.
Deficit and Debt: If properly designed, these policies could also improve fiscal sustainability—through higher domestic tax revenue, reduced unemployment costs, and better economic multipliers compared to tariff revenue.
Germany’s Mittelstand Model: Small to mid-sized enterprises deeply integrated into manufacturing and export value chains—supported by vocational education and strong labor ties.
Japan’s Long-Term Employment Culture: Stability and loyalty in employment fostered a cohesive, skilled workforce, although with mixed results over the decades.
New Deal & WWII-Era Industrial Bonds in the U.S.: Government-issued bonds helped mobilize the economy and workforce around long-term infrastructure and industrial goals.
Transition Costs: Unwinding tariffs could expose some industries to foreign competition unless there’s a gradual phase-out and simultaneous domestic support.
Political Resistance: Tariffs often appeal to populist sentiments. Pivoting to a long-term approach would require bipartisan buy-in and strong communication.
Implementation Complexity: A labor-bond or skill-based economy takes time to build. Coordination between education, private industry, and government is key.
If you're imagining a future where the U.S. acts less like a "combatant" in global markets and more like a "stabilizer," this kind of policy shift might be exactly what's needed.
"America’s strength lies not in short-term battles of trade, but in the long-term bonds of labor, innovation, and shared purpose. We envision a nation where domestic production is the backbone of economic resilience, where every worker is equipped for the industries of tomorrow, and where global leadership is earned through cooperation, not confrontation. By calling off the tariff wars and investing in the American workforce, we commit to a future that is equitable, enduring, and prosperous for all."
Policy Goal: Replace broad punitive tariffs with strategic diplomacy and fair-trade partnerships.
Sunset Section 301 Tariffs: Phase out tariffs that have strained U.S. supply chains and invited retaliatory trade barriers.
Rejoin Global Economic Frameworks: Reassert U.S. leadership in multilateral institutions (WTO, CPTPP, etc.).
Trade Peace Accords: Negotiate a new framework with major partners (China, EU, ASEAN) focused on mutual growth, sustainability, and tech cooperation.
Policy Goal: Spark a revival in American manufacturing, technology, and green infrastructure.
National Industrial Strategy Fund: $500 billion over 10 years for clean tech, semiconductors, biotech, and advanced manufacturing.
Local Resilience Zones: Tax incentives, infrastructure upgrades, and startup grants in former manufacturing hubs.
Buy American 2.0: Update procurement standards to include environmental, labor, and digital security criteria.
Policy Goal: Use innovative financing to empower the workforce of the future.
Labor Market Bond Act: Create government-backed social bonds to fund:
Reskilling programs in AI, robotics, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing
Partnerships between community colleges, unions, and employers
Employment placement guarantees or wage subsidies for 2 years post-training
Universal Workforce Account: Each American receives a digital training wallet with $10,000 for upskilling/retraining over their lifetime.
Policy Goal: Build an economy that grows with the people, not above them.
Living Wage Indexing: Tie federal minimum wage to productivity and cost-of-living metrics.
Portable Benefits System: Health care, retirement, and sick leave that follow workers across jobs.
Anti-Monopoly & Competitive Innovation Act: Limit corporate consolidation while supporting small and mid-sized businesses (esp. manufacturers and service providers).
Policy Goal: Use strategic investment and targeted tax policy to avoid debt and inflation spikes.
Dynamic Budgeting Model: Long-term ROI assessments for all major spending bills.
Reform Tariff Revenue Replacement:
Implement “Trade Transition Support Fee” on top 1% of capital gains and stock buybacks.
Close offshore tax loopholes and implement global minimum tax agreements.
Policy Goal: Elevate economic policy to a tool of peace and partnership, not weaponry.
State Department-Economy Fusion Corps: A new division where economic attachés focus on collaborative R&D, climate trade pacts, and global supply chain resilience.
U.S. Global Skills Partnership: Work with allies to co-train workers for mutual benefit, fostering global goodwill and reducing migration pressure.
“Build Home. Lead Abroad. Prosper Together.”
“America Works 2040: A New Deal for the Next Generation”
My fellow Americans,
For too long, we’ve been told that the only way to compete is to fight—fight with tariffs, fight with trade wars, fight with uncertainty. But what if we chose a different path—not one of endless friction, but of lasting strength?
It’s time to end the tariff wars. Let’s stop punishing ourselves at the cash register and on the factory floor. Let’s rebuild what made this country a powerhouse: our own hands, our own minds, and our own workers.
Our plan is called America Works 2040.
First, we call off the tariffs and step out of the cycle of retaliation and isolation. We replace chaos with clarity. We lead not by shouting, but by building—by engaging the world on fair and stable terms.
Second, we invest in domestic production—not just to compete, but to thrive. We create Local Resilience Zones in the towns Wall Street forgot. We bring back semiconductors, clean energy, and biotech to American soil.
Third, and most importantly, we launch Labor Market Bonds—a revolutionary approach to investing in our own people. Every American gets a lifetime training wallet. Our government issues bonds that fund local training, reskilling, and job placement. We don’t throw people out when the economy changes—we bring them in.
This is a vision rooted in longevity, not volatility. In inclusion, not division. And in strength, not scarcity.
Let’s stop reacting and start rebuilding. Let’s lead by example. Let’s choose the long game.
Let’s make America work—again, and for everyone.
By Michael David Simmons
America is stuck in a loop. We slap on tariffs, our competitors retaliate, prices rise, and the people lose. The so-called trade war hasn’t brought back jobs—it’s made grocery runs more expensive and diplomacy more difficult.
It’s time for something different.
We must call off the tariffs and instead focus on rebuilding America from the inside out—starting with the working people who’ve been sidelined by decades of globalization, automation, and political whiplash.
This is not about surrender. It’s about strategy. Tariffs are a blunt instrument. What we need is precision—and vision.
Imagine a future where America leads not by economic warfare, but by economic excellence. Where we’re not importing critical goods from rivals, but manufacturing them ourselves—with union labor, sustainable practices, and homegrown innovation.
That future starts with two bold shifts:
Invest in Domestic Production. We can create “Local Resilience Zones” to turn hollowed-out industrial towns into next-generation tech and clean-energy hubs. This isn’t fantasy—it’s infrastructure, training, and smart policy aligned for long-term growth.
Issue Labor Market Bonds. What if we treated the American worker like a national asset? Through bonds, we could fund career retraining, community college programs, and job placement pipelines. People want to work—they just need the ladder to climb.
Rather than play a zero-sum game with the rest of the world, let’s play to our strengths. Let’s create jobs that can’t be outsourced and industries that can’t be bought out. Let’s move from economic anxiety to economic confidence.
The real question is: do we want quick wins, or lasting progress?
We don’t have to choose between global leadership and domestic renewal. In fact, the only way to lead the world again is by leading ourselves—away from fear and into the future.
America works best when America works for everyone. It’s time we made that happen.