Trump’s “Agenda 47” and the Future of U.S. Tech & Manufacturing

In today’s edition, we’re breaking down Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign plan, “Agenda 47,” which promises a hard pivot back to American manufacturing, defense tech upgrades, and a push for innovation.

The proposals could mean big shifts in the worlds of Robotics, Aerospace, Defense, and Manufacturing.

In case you’ve been off the grid, Trump won the 2024 election and will be sworn in as the 47th president in January.

Wondering where Trump stands on hard tech? Two words: Agenda 47.

Agenda 47 aims for a hard tech comeback—from freedom cities to flying cars, innovation is back on the menu.

So Buckle up, Here’s the lowdown on how this agenda could impact hard tech:

Table of Contents

• Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing:

• Advancing Defense Technology:

• Promoting Technological Innovation:

• Hard Tech Careers

• Other Rad Tech News:

• Meme of the Week:

Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing:

Incentives for Domestic Production
Trump is proposing a 15% corporate tax rate for companies that manufacture on U.S. soil. This aims to bring production home and make “Made in the USA” a priority again. If passed, it could mean serious growth for domestic manufacturing jobs and innovation, as companies might prefer home turf over overseas production.

Universal Tariffs on Imports
Next up, tariffs. Trump plans to roll out a baseline tariff on most foreign goods, with a hike if other countries don’t play fair in trade. The goal? Protect American industries from competition abroad and keep foreign imports from swamping the market.

Restricting Chinese Ownership in U.S. Sectors
Trump wants to limit Chinese investments in key sectors like energy, tech, telecommunications, and resources, including forcing a sale of existing Chinese-owned assets. With growing concerns over national security and intellectual property, this proposal signals a firm stance on protecting critical U.S. infrastructure from foreign control.

Advancing Defense Technology:

Next-Gen Missile Defense Shield
Trump is proposing a missile defense shield akin to Israel's Iron Dome, designed to protect the U.S. from foreign missile threats. If realized, this could mark a major leap in U.S. defense tech, strengthening national security through advanced missile detection and interception systems.

Reviving Anti-Espionage Programs
With a focus on countering Chinese espionage, Trump’s agenda aims to reinstate programs that would shield American intellectual property and tech advancements. This policy is all about protecting U.S. tech developments from falling into rival hands.

Promoting Technological Innovation:

Building “Freedom Cities”
Trump envisions “Freedom Cities” on federal land—tech hubs meant to spark innovation and push the boundaries of what’s possible, from flying cars to high-tech urban solutions. This could open doors for advanced urban planning and set the stage for cutting-edge public infrastructure projects.

Investment in Emerging Technologies
Trump’s agenda outlines significant investments in AI, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. This push to maintain U.S. leadership in these fields is about ensuring American tech continues to lead globally, keeping us competitive on the innovation front.

Whether these policies get the green light or not, they bring hard tech to the front of the conversation.

For those of us who are passionate about solving hard tech problems, it’s an exciting time to keep an eye on the future.

Hard Tech Careers:

• Anduril - Senior Product Designer - Electronic Warfare

• Kuka - Robotics Engineer

• Weave Robotics - Robotics Software Engineer

Other Rad Tech News:

• Anduril’s set its sights on a mega manufacturing hub and is weighing Arizona, Ohio, and Texas for the big build.

• California lands the second CHIPS R&D facility

Meme of the Week:

- Until next time, Stay Rad