Freelance tech jobs: “America First” tech hiring policy could get worse before it gets better

The United States’ technology policy is moving towards a more nationalistic approach that prioritises domestic job creation and technological dominance.

This stance, strongly expressed by President Donald Trump, during his remarks at the Washington Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit, could have profound implications for non-US based freelancers and contractors working in the global tech industry.

During a recent address, Mr. Trump emphasised a vision where “US technology companies are all in for America.”

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He sharply criticised what he termed “radical globalism,” stating, “For too long, much of our tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed… Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India, and slashing profits in Ireland.”

He declared unequivocally, “Under President Trump, those days are over.”

This “America First” sentiment translates into a policy push aimed at bringing tech jobs, including those related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), back to American soil. President Trump highlighted the potential for “thousands and thousands of great-paying jobs, the kind of jobs we want, including lots of blue-collar jobs,” stemming from colossal investments in AI infrastructure.

He also projected “higher wages and more opportunity for millions of energy workers, HVAC technicians, engineers, electricians, and the hard-working citizens who make our country run” within the next two years.

For too long, much of our tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed…Everybody knows that…

Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India, and slashing profits in Ireland…all the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home.

Under President Trump, those days are over. We need US technology companies to be all in for America. We want you to put America first. You have to do that.

That’s all we ask.

–US President Donald Trump at the 2025 Washington AI Summit

Impact on non-US tech freelancers and contractors

For tech freelancers and contractors in non-U.S. markets, this policy shift could present considerable challenges. The emphasis on US domestic hiring and the reduction of outsourcing, as suggested by Mr. Trump’s remarks, may lead to:

• Reduced job opportunities: Fewer job postings from US clients on global freelance platforms, as American companies are incentivised or even pressured to hire domestically.
• Increased competition: Non-US freelancers may face tougher competition from a growing pool of US-based workers.
• Stricter regulations and compliance: New rules and guidelines could emerge that complicate payments and contracts for international professionals, potentially requiring additional paperwork or proof of compliance with US standards.
• Shift in business spending: US firms might bring roles previously outsourced to domestic workers to align with the “America First” policy, impacting the flow of freelance work to overseas providers.

However, the administration has also expressed to make America an “AI export powerhouse.” Mr. Trump signed an executive order aimed at rapidly expanding American AI exports of “all kinds, from chips to software to data storage.”

This could mean that while direct hiring of foreign contractors for US-based projects might decrease, there could be an increase in demand for services that support the global deployment of US-made AI technologies, potentially creating new, albeit different, opportunities for international tech professionals.

Market reactions and growth projections

The implications of such a policy on tech company stock prices and growth are multifaceted. While the stated goal is to boost domestic economic activity, stricter regulations and a potential reduction in access to global talent pools could impact the profitability and operational flexibility of tech giants over the next two years.

Historically, periods of increased trade protectionism can introduce volatility into markets. However, recent market performance suggests resilience. As of late July 2025, US stock markets, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, have reached new record highs, supported by factors like trade deal optimism, resilient economic data, and stronger-than-expected corporate earnings.

Analysts from major financial institutions note that US companies have shown an ability to absorb some increased costs, with profit margins for goods industries about 60% higher today than in 2018-2019.

The “colossal investment in AI infrastructure” outlined by the administration is also seen by some as a long-term driver of productivity and GDP growth, which could ultimately benefit tech companies.

While near-term margins for Big Tech might be pressured by significant upfront investments in AI compute and related infrastructure, efficiency gains from AI automation are expected to be supportive of margins in the longer term. For instance, some industries in the United States are reporting AI adoption rates of 25-30%, indicating growing monetisation opportunities.

Reduce red tape

The administration’s focus on reducing red tape and streamlining regulations to boost innovation is also a part of this strategy. Mr. Trump highlighted the directive that “for every new regulation, 10 old regulations must be immediately eliminated,” signalling a commitment to ease the burden on businesses and enable faster development and deployment of new technologies.

The coming months will reveal the full extent of how an “America First” tech policy impacts global tech recruitment of freelancers and contractors. As a matter of survival, markets with a high degree of highly skilled tech workers, such as India, Estonia and China may have no choice but to up the AI ante in their home markets o develop new competing apps and AI models, testing not only their domestic dominance but their ability to keep US tech giants on their toes.

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