According to a report by Business Insider, Goldman Sachs analysts believe that Trump's import tariff policy is unlikely to reverse years of decline in U.S. manufacturing, but robotics and AI technology could potentially achieve that. The analysts state in a research report that the U.S. economy needs technological transformation, which is key to reversing the long-term stagnation in manufacturing productivity.

They point out that while the rise of Chinese manufacturing has significantly damaged American factories, the high profits once easily generated in the computer and electronics manufacturing sectors are disappearing, contributing to the decline of manufacturing. Although Trump's tariffs may help boost domestic manufacturing productivity, relying solely on tariffs will not resolve the underlying issue, as overseas costs remain much lower than those in the U.S., even with tariffs included.

“China is likely to continue expanding its exports thanks to cost advantages and industrial policy support,” the analysts added. It is noteworthy that industries across the board are integrating AI and robotics into workflows and supply chains. For example, Amazon has developed and deployed robots to handle simple tasks at logistics centers. PepsiCo is leveraging AI to improve agriculture and enhance profitability. Swiss food packaging company Tetra Pak uses AI to create optimal cheese formulas that meet FDA standards.

Moreover, AI's predictive capabilities are changing maintenance modalities in factories, assisting companies in analyzing historical data to prevent expensive breakdowns before they occur. However, productivity improvements may also lead to layoffs, as many pieces of evidence indicate that companies are cutting jobs that can be performed by AI, showing that the workforce is facing significant restructuring.