Globalisation is being replaced by reshoring, as seen through Intel’s stalled Ohio project and Nvidia’s US supercomputer initiative, highlighting differing approaches by Joe Biden and Donald Trump in pursuing homegrown tech dominance. Biden focused on institutional support like grants and incentives, while Trump relied on court politics and tariff threats. The shift towards industrial strategy driven by presidential influence rather than policy is a growing concern.

Nvidia’s move underscores the importance of chokepoints like artificial intelligence supercomputer fabrication in scaling global ideas. The US faces potential backlash over disruptions to the traditional trade order, prompting concerns raised by economist Ricardo Hausmann about the focus on goods trade over services, intellectual property, and investment.

As the US navigates evolving tech landscapes, challenges emerge in balancing innovation, openness, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The Trump administration’s national security probe into pharma imports reflects a shift towards protecting markets and supply chains, contradicting past US advocacy for openness in science and trade.

The potential repercussions of developing countries reconsidering intellectual property enforcement could reshape global dynamics, affecting not only US firms but also the future of innovation ownership and monetization. The article prompts reflection on whether America can maintain its leadership in innovation amid changing global power dynamics.