As we enter 2026 on the economic tailwinds of cooling inflation, rising GDP, and a stabilizing labor market, it is vital to look "under the hood" and assess what has been powering this economic resurgence. The answer to this question is fairly straightforward: a shift in economic policy toward economic realism that values American producers and manufacturers.
By prioritizing an economic agenda that places American companies first – even through some contentious decisions – the Trump Administration has been instrumental in fostering investment and growth.
Think back to April. "Liberation Day" was met with doomsday predictions on both sides of the aisle. Critics warned that reciprocal tariffs would collapse the world order and create jobs that would be unwanted and unfilled. Now, the alleged consequences have proven insignificant as the industrial base gradually adapts to market changes. Far from the disaster promised, these tariffs have been a market corrective, signaling to the world that the era of American economic passivity and trade deficits is over.
Another key way the Trump Administration has prioritized domestic production is through a long-overdue reshoring of critical supply chains. Largely codified in the One Big Beautiful Bill – through provisions such as the restoration of 100 percent bonus depreciation, full expensing for new domestic factories, and the immediate deduction of R&D costs – the U.S. is now, in many cases, a more attractive place to build and produce than it is to outsource to foreign adversaries.
But beyond tariffs and diverse supply chains, the most important characteristic of the Trump Administration's first year has been its commitment to regulatory sanity – an understanding that consolidation can be a strength and that strength is now a necessity in the rapidly changing landscape of global competition. By facilitating mergers and tossing out the Lina Khans of the administrative state, the U.S. is now poised to lead in technology, industrial manufacturing, and consumer products.
Let's consider recent mergers that have been approved under President Trump.
In May, the FTC allowed Capital One to acquire Discover, creating a viable American competitor capable of challenging the foreign duopoly of Visa and Mastercard. And in December, Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems solidified its position as a force in the aerospace industry, well-positioned to compete against Europe's Airbus and China's COMAC.
While critics see these deals as consolidation, they are now a reality and a necessity in a world where our economic rivals hoard and protect key products and resources. As countries increasingly strive to achieve self-sufficiency, it is more valuable now than ever to capitalize on opportunities that place American companies in strategic positions on the global stage.
One deal that promises to do just that for American manufacturing in the consumer health and wellness industry is the Kimberly-Clark-Kenvue merger. Announced in November 2025, the $48.7 billion cash-and-stock deal unites two powerful American portfolios and finally creates a juggernaut (with a projected $32 billion in annual revenue) that can compete against global giants like Unilever and Procter & Gamble.
Additionally, the combined company has announced an investment of more than $2 billion over the next five years in North America. This includes an $800 million manufacturing facility in Warren, Ohio, and a $200 million distribution center in Beech Island, South Carolina. These plants will require the high-skilled manufacturing jobs needed to fulfill President Trump's economic vision of American dominance.
Furthermore, when you look at the combined arsenal of its $10 billion brands, including household essentials like Huggies and Kleenex alongside Kenvue's Tylenol, Listerine, and Band-Aid, you can begin to visualize the cost synergies through shared logistics and supply chains; many of these brands share similar retail locations. If the combined company can capitalize on these savings, consumers could reap the benefits via lower prices and fuller shelves.
This is just one example of an American-made merger that aims to compete with powerful foreign conglomerates in an industry where investment firms have predicted substantial growth in the coming years. Fortunately, the Trump Administration has made it clear that it is willing to fight on all fronts – in energy, technology, and manufacturing – to keep America competitive.
The U.S. is due for another big year if regulators allow mergers like Kimberly-Clark's to benefit consumers and grow the economy.
Jared Whitley is a longtime politico who has worked in the U.S. Senate, White House, and defense industry. He has an MBA from Hult Business School in Dubai. In 2024, he won the Top of the Rockies Best Columnist award.