WASHINGTON — Gina Raimondo, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, views Donald Trump as a president-elect whose rhetoric is marked by aggression, yet he appears hesitant to allow America to compete on the global stage. Instead, she observes that his approach includes imposing tariffs and restricting immigration. Raimondo expressed her contrasting perspective in a recent interview, asserting, “What Trump is saying is I want to protect you from competition. My viewpoint is different: we will compete, outcompete, and ultimately win. There’s truly no better worker than an American, no more innovative entrepreneurs, and no company as creative.”
Raimondo’s insights might also hint at what she perceives should be the Democratic Party’s message moving forward. Over the past four years in Washington, she has demonstrated a knack for engaging with CEOs, collaborating with labor unions, and negotiating with international leaders. Now at 53 years old, the former governor of Rhode Island has been a name considered for the vice presidency by both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
During her tenure, Raimondo has played a critical role in reshaping the U.S. economy’s future. She has overseen the allocation of infrastructure funds to ensure nationwide access to the internet, sanctioned financial support for the creation of factories and research facilities focused on advanced computer chips, and set the foundational guidelines for the governmental development of artificial intelligence (AI). The upcoming years will serve as a litmus test to determine whether her views or those of Trump dominate in the face of a rapidly evolving economy.
As global political dynamics become more complex due to conflicts and trade challenges, AI holds the potential to significantly enhance U.S. economic productivity. However, if mishandled, it presents risks of job displacement and societal instability. Raimondo also expressed concerns about technology produced overseas potentially being utilized in attacks against the U.S., a sentiment that led her to prohibit the use of internet-connected vehicles manufactured in China.
“AI is undoubtedly the most significant disruptive influence in our economy right now and will remain so for the coming decade,” she remarked. “Companies are rushing to incorporate AI across all sectors, from accounting to sales and scientific advancement. There’s a looming fear: if they fail to integrate AI, they may fall behind.”
Despite the heavy emphasis on tax cuts advocated by Trump, Raimondo believes that these measures alone will not be sufficient to sustain America’s economic vitality. With her experience as a former venture capitalist, she recognized a critical absence of government investment in the areas and sectors that would propel future growth. This insight led her to rally bipartisan support in 2022 for a $52 billion initiative aimed at revitalizing the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity, targeting a goal of producing 20% of the global supply of high-end chips domestically.
Trump has countered this narrative by asserting that imposing taxes on imports will bolster U.S. manufacturing. In a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he described the chip initiative as ineffective. Nevertheless, he continues to seek alliances with tech moguls like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos while pledging to reduce regulatory barriers.
Members of Trump’s team have suggested that funds earmarked for computer chips essential to AI and other technologies could be reclaimed, with Vivek Ramaswamy, a co-leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, labeling them as “wasteful subsidies” on social media. Ramaswamy stated, “DOGE will review each of these last-minute actions & recommend that Inspectors General examine these contracts closely,” emphasizing scrutiny over political appointees transitioning to roles benefitting from these funding decisions.
Raimondo highlighted an interesting perspective regarding the CHIPS and Science Act — that the Chinese government is unhappy with it. “China opposes the CHIPS Act because it is effective and beneficial for America,” she noted. She elaborated that such government investments are essential due to the markets’ failure to account for issues like national security and supply chain challenges.
Her responsibilities extend beyond those typically associated with a commerce secretary. Following the outbreak of conflict in Ukraine, she was charged by Biden with the task of limiting Vladimir Putin’s access to military resources. A few weeks prior to the invasion, Biden convened a Zoom meeting, inviting Raimondo to lead a coalition involving 36 nations to socially and economically restrict Russia.
“That moment was truly enlightening,” she explained. “It underscored not just the critical role the Commerce Department plays in national security, but also how increasingly vital technological security is to our national security framework.”
Raimondo understood that Russia would encounter difficulties in its military efforts if deprived of essential computer chips, mirroring the issues faced by U.S. automakers during the global semiconductor shortages in 2021. The export restrictions enforced by the U.S. alongside its allies led the Russians to strip apart household appliances for the chips they needed, intensifying their reliance on trade with nations opposing U.S. interests, she remarked.
As she prepares to depart from her role, Raimondo asserts that Russia’s economic and military coherence is deteriorating. While she plans to remain in Washington until June for her son’s high school graduation, she acknowledges the necessity of some reflection time regarding her next steps. “St. Thomas Aquinas spoke extensively about quieting the mind and the soul,” she reflected. “That’s what I need at this moment.”
