Steve Beeman
America has always thrived with an infinite spirit of innovation, competition and corporate. Our history is a testament to what happens when we confidently embrace our future, invest in people, and trust in the power of the free market. At a crossroads in the rapidly changing world economy, we must recognize that enduring prosperity comes not from closing ourselves, but from being involved in our language.
The past few years have rekindled debates over tariff and protectionist policies. The intention behind these measures was to protect American employment and industry, but the reality is becoming more complicated. Yes, some sectors may have seen short-term profits, but overall, tariffs have pushed up consumer costs, disrupt the supply chain and caused retaliation from trading partners. And all this is happening against the backdrop of even greater economic changes: the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and the digital revolution. These forces are restructuring global markets in ways that tariffs and trade barriers simply cannot be addressed.
The digital economy has demolished traditional borders, allowing businesses to reach customers all over the world with the click of a button. American companies lead the path of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, but they must adapt to maintain that leadership. That means ensuring that our policies reflect the reality of modern economics. Trade restrictions, once made sense in the industrial era, can now do more harm than good, making it difficult for businesses to compete and grow. If you want to ensure long-term economic success, you must resist the temptation to retreat behind the protectionist wall and instead embrace strategies that encourage collaboration, investment and innovation.
But embracing the future doesn’t mean leaving American workers behind. It’s exactly the opposite. The true key to sustainable growth is not to protect the industry from competition, but to prepare our workforce for tomorrow’s opportunity. This means investing in education, retraining and skill development, ensuring workers in all sectors have the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated, AI-driven economy. Our schools must prioritize not only STEM education, but critical thinking, problem solving and adaptability. This is an essential skill no matter how technology evolves.
At the same time, we must create an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish. This means reducing red tape, promoting investment in research and development, allowing small and medium-sized businesses and startups to access the capital they need to turn their ideas into reality. America was not a country waiting for the future to happen to us. We are leading the way. And now we must create an economy that rewards ingenuity, supports risk takers, and encourages competition.
We face three potential futures in the future. First, a world where states are turned inward and embrace protectionism and trade wars that restrain growth and innovation. The other is a hybrid model, where while some countries cooperate, others remain closed, leading to economic uncertainty and fragmentation. But the most promising path, the path that has always promoted America’s success, is one of our relentless commitments to bold leadership, international cooperation and technological advancements. This path requires working with allies to lead the way in modernizing trade agreements to reflect the realities of the digital economy and setting global standards for AI, cybersecurity, and cross-border commerce. Reforms are needed to institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) ensure that global trade rules function for the modern economy rather than opposed to this.
Most importantly, it is that we must believe in the principles that made America the greatest economy first. It is an unwavering belief that free enterprise, fair competition, and rising tides lift all boats. The challenges for the future are real, but the same goes for opportunities. If we choose wisely – investing in our workforce, embracing innovation and strengthening our partnerships is unlimited to what we can achieve.
Steve Beaman is chairman and CEO of Elevare Technologies, a VAAS company that provides digital solutions to businesses.
