Friendshoring
Etymology
A blend of "friend" and "-shoring" (from "offshoring"). It gained currency around 2022, notably from US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, as governments sought supply chains among allies after pandemic and geopolitical shocks. Kin to "reshoring" (bringing production home) and "nearshoring" (moving it nearby).
noun · /FREND-shor-ing/
Relocating supply chains to politically allied countries to reduce dependence on rivals.
What it names
A shift in how nations think about trade — choosing partners by trust and alliance, not just cost — that is reshaping global manufacturing.
Example
Rather than reshoring entirely, the company is friendshoring — moving chip assembly to allied nations instead of home.
Related idea
A retreat from pure comparative advantage, which says produce wherever it is cheapest; friendshoring accepts higher costs to buy security and trust.