The surge in U.S.-China trade after 2001 led to devastating job losses in American manufacturing, particularly in regions unprepared for global competition. Contrary to economic theory, displaced workers rarely found new footing—many left the labor force entirely or faced long-term underemployment. Research by David Autor reveals these impacts were not temporary setbacks but persistent shocks that reshaped local economies and fueled political upheaval. The so-called 'China shock' exposed flaws in mainstream models that assumed smooth worker transitions and overlooked regional vulnerabilities. Even policies like Trade Adjustment Assistance proved insufficient against the scale of disruption. While tariffs under Trump failed to revive industry, they highlighted the need for smarter strategies: combining targeted trade protections with investments in innovation and high-tech sectors. Today, the legacy of this era underscores a bleaker, more nuanced understanding of globalization’s human cost—and its role in rising populism.