VANCOUVER, British Columbia – As the 2024 U.S. election cycle culminates in a sharp geopolitical pivot toward protectionism, Donald Trump’s newly proposed tariff regime has reignited debate among business owners, multinational investors, and high-net-worth Americans about the long-term viability of staying domiciled in the United States.
According to global mobility specialists at Amicus International Consulting, an increasing number of Americans are accelerating efforts to obtain second citizenships and offshore residency to hedge against political risk and looming economic shocks.
The proposed tariffs, which include 60% duties on all Chinese imports and an expanded blanket tariff on most foreign goods, are expected to increase consumer prices, invite retaliatory trade measures, and disrupt global supply chains.
For internationally engaged Americans, these policies present economic challenges and raise concerns about fiscal surveillance, asset restrictions, and the potential for new capital controls.
Second Citizenship as a Strategic Response
“Whenever the U.S. signals economic retrenchment or threatens to isolate itself through tariffs or taxation, we see a corresponding uptick in interest from clients seeking alternative passports,” said a spokesperson from Amicus International Consulting. “What we’re observing now is similar to what happened in 2018—but the demand is more urgent and widespread.”
Second citizenships, particularly through investment migration programs, provide political neutrality, freedom of movement, and most importantly, asset protection in turbulent economic times. They also serve as an insurance policy against sudden policy shifts, including wealth taxes or limits on outbound capital flows, that may be enacted during economic stress.
Economic Protectionism and Its Impact on American Mobility
The Trump 2.0 tariff agenda—which has targeted China and hinted at penalizing countries with trade surpluses against the U.S.—has raised alarm bells for American exporters, tech companies, and service-sector professionals with global clients.
For these individuals, second citizenship is a lifestyle choice and a strategic business maneuver.
“We’re talking to U.S. citizens who want to continue doing business internationally without being saddled by retaliatory measures or the economic drag of a trade war,” said the Amicus spokesperson. “Many of them are setting up second residencies in neutral jurisdictions—places that aren’t likely to be targets of tariffs or financial scrutiny.”
Some jurisdictions offer more than just travel freedom. Countries in the Caribbean, such as St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada, provide citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs that offer visa-free access to major global markets, including the EU Schengen Zone and the UK—a critical advantage if U.S. passports face new restrictions or added scrutiny amid global retaliations.
Taxation Fears Escalate Among High Earners
While tariffs affect imports and trade, the broader concern for many is what comes next. Analysts at Amicus warn that protectionist economic policy often coincides with increased domestic taxation.
“Protectionism is never free,” said the Amicus consultant. “Someone has to pay for it; historically, that burden falls on the wealthiest individuals. Clients ask us, ‘What happens when the next administration adds wealth taxes to fund tariff-driven shortfalls?’ They want an escape plan in place now.”
High-net-worth individuals (HNWIS) are increasingly looking into tax-resilient jurisdictions such as Monaco, Panama, or the UAE, where residency may exempt them from income tax, estate tax, or capital gains tax altogether.
Case Study: A Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Looks Abroad
Case Study 1: California-based tech founder
In 2023, a software entrepreneur based in Palo Alto began exploring second citizenship options after hearing early campaign rhetoric about economic nationalism. His business, 50% of which was international, relied on stable trade agreements and predictable regulatory conditions.
Fearing that sanctions or tariffs might target digital services or data flows, he applied for citizenship in Portugal through its Golden Visa residency program. When the Trump campaign reintroduced its tariff policies in 2024, he had already secured EU residency, shifted corporate assets to an Irish holding company, and acquired a second passport for travel flexibility.
“By moving early, I was able to shield my business and personal finances from uncertainty,” he said in a testimonial provided through Amicus International. “And I now have options if the U.S. enacts extreme economic policies again.”
Second Passports as a Hedge Against U.S. Dollar Risk
Currency volatility is another often-overlooked consequence of trade wars. As tariffs escalate, so do inflationary pressures and devaluation risks for the U.S. dollar. For globally invested Americans, this creates a scenario where foreign-based assets and income streams may become more attractive, but only if they can legally reside and operate overseas.
A second passport from a dollar-hedged jurisdiction like Switzerland, Singapore, or New Zealand can provide access to banking and investment ecosystems insulated from U.S. monetary instability. It also opens the door to offshore bank accounts and multi-currency holdings in jurisdictions with privacy protections and limited political exposure.
Chinese-American Investors Are Leading the Trend
Interestingly, the greatest surge in second citizenship inquiries at Amicus this quarter has come from Chinese-American dual nationals, or U.S. permanent residents with significant business dealings in China. With tariffs directly targeting Chinese imports, many find themselves in an increasingly adversarial position with no diplomatic buffer.
Case Study 2: A Chinese-American logistics company owner
This entrepreneur, born in Shenzhen and now residing in Los Angeles, ran a shipping firm that depended on fluid U.S.-China trade.
By late 2024, after a new wave of tariffs was announced, she expedited her family’s second citizenship application for St. Lucia and began opening offshore accounts in Mauritius and the UAE.
“I’m not abandoning the U.S.,” she explained. “But I can’t afford to be a hostage to one country’s economic direction. Having a second passport gives me choices.”
The Legal Identity Shift: From U.S.-Centric to Global Citizen
Amicus International’s programs are designed to help clients acquire second citizenship and undergo a complete legal identity transition if needed. This can include a name change, residency relocation, offshore banking structuring, and international asset protection.
In cases where clients fear political targeting, international sanctions, or reputational damage due to American citizenship, a comprehensive legal identity solution can provide the peace of mind they need to operate safely and legally abroad.
Why Now? The Window May Be Closing
As more Americans look to exit or hedge their nationality risk, experts warn that the U.S. may eventually implement exit taxes, stricter passport restrictions, or enhanced capital export tracking similar to what occurred in the Obama and Biden administrations.
“Smart clients are moving now, while the global mobility market is still favourable,” said the Amicus spokesperson. “Waiting until the door starts closing is a recipe for regret.”
Additional Case Study: A Retired U.S. Veteran in Costa Rica
Case Study 3: Former U.S. military contractor
A 62-year-old Vietnam veteran had lived quietly in Florida until 2022, when he became disillusioned by political gridlock and the inflationary effects of post-pandemic tariffs. After consulting Amicus, he acquired residency in Costa Rica, where he could live comfortably on his pension while benefiting from lower costs and a neutral passport from a peaceful, non-aligned nation.
“I love America, but I’m not blind to its volatility,” he said. “I served it. I’ve earned the right to live out my retirement somewhere stable.”
Amicus: Trusted by Global Citizens Since 2008
With over a decade of experience in second citizenship, residency-by-investment, and legal identity transformation, Amicus International Consulting has become the trusted partner for those who want to secure their future beyond borders.
The firm offers bespoke consultation services, privacy-driven strategies, and guaranteed transaction confidentiality. From Caribbean citizenship to EU Golden Visas and offshore corporate structuring, Amicus has helped clients in more than 70 countries take control of their global mobility.
Conclusion: Tariffs Today, Consequences Tomorrow
The reintroduction of Trump-era tariff politics may seem like a Washington issue. However, for globally minded Americans, it carries real and immediate consequences. Economic nationalism, by nature, creates financial instability, regulatory unpredictability, and a potential loss of global access.
Second citizenship is more than a Plan B in this climate—it’s a proactive safeguard for those who value freedom, flexibility, and long-term security.
Contact Amicus International Consulting today to learn more about securing your second passport or building a resilient international future.
📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca
