Take it a step forward: What can producing countries do without research and development?
While the R&D countries can set up shop elsewhere.
The biggest issue the US holds is their abandonment of the working class, tariffs were planned and came together with lower tax and regulation so the working class can lift itself. The later is still open.
Who told you that China doesn't research and develop? They are even the only worthy competitor of the US in most areas, especially technology. The US has Tesla, iPhone, Open AI, while China has BYD, Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Deepseek, or they are even excellent in robotics and automation, and are leading in the 5G, 6G telecommunications race.
Yes, the US could locate manufacturing plants in other countries or bring them home, but is that feasible? Can they guarantee quality while maintaining competitive prices and ensuring profitability? Trump mentioned this idea in his first term but more than 8 years have passed, why haven't American businesses implemented it yet?