Donald Trump has long depicted the world stage as a battlefield for his “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) campaign.
He targets trade, tariffs and tech wars with various foreign opponents. His message implies that these fights are essential for achieving American greatness, directly linking this idea to the US’s trade deficit, which hit US$918 billion in 2024.
However, this focus on outside threats is a major distraction. The real battles threatening America’s prosperity and stability are happening within its own borders, causing economic and social costs that overshadow any trade imbalance.
Ignoring these domestic crises comes at a significant opportunity cost. Addressing them would not only create a more meaningful path to national greatness than any protectionist fight but also provide a solid route for economic growth.
By tackling these issues, we can work toward a future where America’s prosperity and stability are not just restored but improved.
Trade war’s economic delusion
The Trump administration’s obsession with the trade deficit is based on a flawed idea. While a deficit might reflect complex economic trends, it is a minor issue compared to the real problems facing the American home front.
Trade, tech and tariff wars do not strengthen the nation; instead, they often lead to higher prices for American consumers and businesses and disrupt supply chains.
The isolationist attitude behind these policies can harm strategic alliances and reduce global influence. The true threats, which impact the American economy and spirit far more, come from various crises that cost trillions rather than billions. Trump must fight at least ten wars.
Fentanyl and drug crisis
The opioid crisis, particularly the threat of fentanyl, is an undeclared domestic war. It takes over 100,000 American lives each year, primarily due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The financial toll of this crisis is staggering, with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimating it to surpass $2 trillion annually.
This sum includes lost productivity from untimely deaths, high healthcare costs for treatment and the strain on the criminal justice system. The opioid crisis alone imposed an economic burden exceeding $ 2.7 trillion in 2023, greatly overshadowing any savings from trade wars.
Winning this battle requires a significant national investment in prevention, education and accessible treatment, promising a far better return on investment than any tariff.
Pervasive cost of gun violence
Gun violence in the United States has become a tragic and ongoing economic drain. In 2023, more than 47,000 people died from gun-related incidents, including homicides, suicides and accidental shootings.
The financial impact of this crisis, according to the Gun Violence Archive, surpasses $1 trillion each year, a huge economic burden that requires immediate policy action.
This cost includes direct expenses like the $2.8 billion spent annually on treating gun violence victims, as well as indirect costs from policing, legal proceedings, and lost economic contribution from deaths and injuries.
Beyond the figures, the fear and insecurity stemming from gun violence harm local businesses and tourism, stifling economic vitality across communities. A serious effort to tackle this crisis through policy action and mental health services is not just a moral obligation; it’s a significant economic opportunity that must be addressed.
Housing crisis and homelessness
The escalating housing crisis and rising homelessness signal a serious failure of public policy. In January 2024, approximately 771,480 Americans experienced homelessness, setting a new record. The situation has worsened due to soaring housing prices and a lack of affordable units.
The economic burden of homelessness, estimated by the Hudson Institute at over $350 billion annually, includes emergency healthcare, social services and law enforcement costs. This crisis strains public funds and lowers productivity, while also showcasing alarming signs of social decay.
Investing in affordable housing, social support and strong job opportunities would meet basic human needs and lessen the economic strain linked to this crisis.
Federal budget deficit and public debt
The federal budget deficit is not just an abstract measure; it reflects lost economic opportunities. On July 31, 2025, the federal debt exceeded $36.91 trillion, with annual interest payments surpassing $650 billion, more than the defense budget.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts this debt could rise to 150% of GDP by 2030, a trend that threatens to destabilize the economy with higher interest rates and ongoing inflation. This debt means an annual loss of more than $1 trillion that could fund infrastructure upgrades, education, or healthcare reforms.
A true plan for American greatness would involve a careful look at fiscal realities and a commitment to tax reform and controlled spending to secure the nation’s financial future.
Income inequality
The disparity between the richest and poorest Americans has widened, endangering social unity and economic health. In 2023, the wealthiest 1% held 32% of total wealth, while the bottom 50% possessed only 2%.
The Center for American Progress estimates that the economic effects of this income inequality exceed $500 billion each year, factoring in social costs, crime and productivity losses. This gap hampers the spending power of the middle class, weakening economic demand and accelerating political and social division.
Closing this inequality gap is not only a social duty; it could also spark economic growth, enhance demand and foster the social unity essential for sustained growth.
Scourge of social division
The polarization seen in American politics runs deep, with 80% of Americans sensing a substantial divide, according to the Pew Research Center. This division isn’t just a nuisance; it represents a costly economic hurdle.
It creates policy paralysis, social instability, and significant uncertainty for businesses, with conservative estimates placing its economic cost at over $200 billion each year. This division prevents the country from focusing on its most pressing issues, turning everything into a bitter, unproductive fight.
A real leader would bridge these gaps through dialogue, education and inclusive policies to foster the national unity necessary for long-term growth.
Economic reality of climate change
While some leaders may downplay climate change as a hoax, its economic impacts are real and escalating. In 2023, climate-related disasters—hurricanes, wildfires, and floods—inflicted over $100 billion in damages.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates the annual economic cost of climate change exceeds $500 billion when factoring in property damage, agricultural losses and substantial emergency response expenses. The United States is falling behind in the global transition to green energy, losing ground to competitors like China.
Investing in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy isn’t just an environmental action; it’s an economic necessity for ensuring future competitiveness and avoiding further financial and social disasters.
Soaring cost of crime
The economic toll of crime in the United States is enormous. A 2017 study calculated the total annual cost at $2.6 trillion, covering expenses like policing, legal systems, and the penal system, along with the significant costs of healthcare for victims and property damage.
Beyond these direct costs, crime heightens public fear and insecurity, which stifles local economies and investment. Tackling this systemic issue through investments in education, job creation, and community-focused programs would not only make communities safer but also unlock substantial economic potential.
Rising cost of healthcare
The US healthcare system is a financial outlier, consuming a larger share of the nation’s GDP—18% in 2023, or $4.5 trillion—than any other developed nation while achieving the lowest health outcomes.
This inefficiency and the fact that over 50 million Americans remain uninsured lead to an estimated annual cost of $1 trillion, including medical debt, lost productivity, and reliance on expensive emergency care.
Reforming this system to provide affordable, quality care is a crucial step toward improving national health and reallocating trillions of dollars to more productive economic activities.
The “diploma divide”
The “diploma divide,” which reflects the growing gap in income and opportunity between those with and without college education, is a subtle yet harmful enemy. It significantly contributes to economic and social divisions, reducing the tax base and increasing the burden on social welfare programs.
A workforce lacking skills diminishes national productivity and hinders economic growth and vertical social mobility. The social consequences are equally severe, fueling inequalities, reducing social mobility, and generating the anger that drives political division.
A genuine battle against this divide would require significant investment in vocational training, apprenticeships, and affordable college education to ensure every American has a path to economic security.
A strategic reassessment
The total economic harm from these ten domestic crises amounts to an incredible $8.5 trillion annually, far exceeding the about less than 1 trillion trade deficits. This reflects misplaced priorities in a nation dealing with so-called foreign threats to American progress while neglecting its home issues.
If the US could cut these crises by just 50% through consistent policy action and investment, it could save over $4.25 trillion annually. This money could drive GDP growth, potentially adding 5-7% to the economy. A coordinated effort on crime and drug addiction could boost productivity, while investments in green energy and housing would foster long-term economic stability.
The real way to “make America great again” doesn’t lie in trade, tariff and tech wars against hypothetical adversaries but in the tougher, yet far more rewarding battles for the health, safety and prosperity of the American people. Trump must maintain order in his own house to effectively make America great again. That is the war a true leader would take on.
Bhim Bhurtel is on X at @BhimBhurtel
What a dump. But the fact so many Chinese, Africans and Indians want to move there legally and illegally means their countries must be even worse.
Not really. Mexico has been traditionally the main source of US immigrants and cheap labors.
Since Vietnam War, US has been conducting its destroying thy neighbors and enriching Self policies. Time has changed, that selfishness is getting harder and at its last leg.
Bhurtel’s points are valid, instead of shifting blames and kicking the can to the next politicians, Trump should be looking inwards, and arresting the global trend of despising US and banding together against its imperialistic bullying.
Correct. But relative to 10, 20 and 50 years ago the relative advantages are trending in the wrong direction.
the shining city on the hill is losing its shine.