The narrative around globalisation frequently frames it as a driver of national decline in the US, but the numbers tell a different story. America's economic dominance didn't erode because of open markets or international trade. The real issue? A collapse in political will to ensure those benefits reach working communities across the board.

Globalisation itself wasn't the problem—it was always a tool. The tool worked, but nobody bothered steering it toward shared prosperity. When policy decisions fail to distribute gains equitably, people feel left behind even in a growing economy. That's the actual tension to examine. The US didn't lose globalisation. It lost the capacity to make it work for everyone.