Trump's Second 100 Days: Trade Policy, Regulatory Changes, And Executive Orders To Watch

Hugo van Dijk

6 min read

Post on Apr 29, 2025

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Trade Policy Under Scrutiny During Trump's Second 100 Days

President Trump's second 100 days saw a continuation and intensification of his administration's trade protectionist policies, significantly impacting global trade relations. This period was marked by aggressive renegotiation of existing trade deals and the escalation of trade wars.

Renegotiation of NAFTA and Trade Deals

A central focus of Trump's second 100 days remained the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The goal was to replace NAFTA with a more favorable agreement for the United States, leading to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

• Specific Targets: The renegotiation focused on key aspects like automotive rules of origin, agricultural trade, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Significant changes were made to the rules governing automotive content, aiming to increase the percentage of goods manufactured in North America.
• Progress and Setbacks: While the USMCA was ultimately signed, the renegotiation process was fraught with challenges and disagreements, particularly regarding agricultural subsidies and labor standards. Reaching a final agreement required significant concessions from all three parties.
• Trade Volume Impact: The renegotiation significantly impacted the trilateral trade volume between the US, Canada, and Mexico, creating uncertainty and volatility in the short term. While the long-term effects are still being assessed, the renegotiated agreement aimed to streamline trade and enhance competitiveness.

Keywords: NAFTA renegotiation, USMCA, trade deals, tariffs, trade war, import tariffs, export tariffs, bilateral trade agreements.

Impact of Tariffs and Trade Wars

The Trump administration's imposition of tariffs on various goods during this period further escalated existing trade tensions. These tariffs, often targeting specific countries like China, sparked retaliatory tariffs, leading to a full-blown trade war.

• Industries Affected: Steel, aluminum, and agricultural products were among the industries most heavily impacted by the tariffs and subsequent retaliatory measures. The tariffs led to increased costs for businesses and consumers, impacting supply chains globally.
• Job Losses and Gains: The impact on job creation and losses varied widely across sectors. While some industries experienced job losses due to reduced exports, others saw gains from increased domestic production spurred by protectionist measures. Determining the net effect remained a complex economic challenge.
• Economic Growth and Inflation: The trade war contributed to economic uncertainty and volatility. Inflation rose in some sectors due to increased import costs, while economic growth slowed in some countries due to reduced trade.

Keywords: Tariffs, trade wars, import duties, retaliatory tariffs, economic impact, job creation, inflation, trade deficit.

Regulatory Rollbacks and Deregulation in Trump's Second 100 Days

Trump's second 100 days continued the trend of regulatory rollbacks and deregulation initiated during his first term. This involved significant changes to environmental and financial regulations.

Environmental Regulations

The administration continued its efforts to weaken or eliminate environmental regulations, citing burdensome costs to businesses.

• Specific Rollbacks: The administration weakened the Clean Power Plan, aiming to reduce its restrictions on power plant emissions. Fuel efficiency standards for vehicles were also loosened. These actions sparked significant controversy and legal challenges.
• Environmental Consequences: Critics argued these actions would lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate change. Supporters countered that the regulations were overly burdensome and hindered economic growth. The long-term environmental consequences remained a subject of intense debate.
• Data and Examples: Specific data on increased emissions and the economic impact of these changes were contested by different research groups and governmental agencies.

Keywords: Environmental regulations, deregulation, Clean Power Plan, fuel efficiency standards, environmental impact, carbon emissions, climate change.

Financial Regulations

The administration sought to further roll back financial regulations, particularly those introduced after the 2008 financial crisis.

• Changes to Dodd-Frank: Specific provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act were altered or removed, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens on financial institutions.
• Impact on Stability and Protection: Critics raised concerns that these changes could undermine financial stability and weaken consumer protections. Supporters argued the regulations were overly restrictive and hampered economic growth. The long-term implications for financial markets remained uncertain.
• Expert Opinions: Economists and financial experts offered widely differing opinions on the impact of these regulatory changes, reflecting the complexity of the issues involved.

Keywords: Dodd-Frank, financial deregulation, financial stability, consumer protection, banking regulations, Wall Street.

Key Executive Orders and Their Implications During Trump's Second 100 Days

Executive orders issued during this period covered a wide range of policy areas, particularly focusing on immigration and other key aspects of the administration’s agenda.

Immigration and Border Security

Immigration remained a high priority, with several executive orders impacting border security and immigration policies.

• Specific Orders: Executive orders focused on strengthening border security measures, including funding for a border wall and stricter enforcement of immigration laws. These orders also impacted asylum seekers and immigration policies.
• Impact on Deportations and Legal Challenges: The orders resulted in increased deportations and legal challenges to immigration policies. The impact on asylum seekers and other vulnerable populations was a significant source of debate and controversy.
• Border Wall Construction: Progress on the construction of the border wall was monitored closely, with ongoing debates over its cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.

Keywords: Executive orders, immigration policy, border security, asylum, deportation, immigration reform, DACA.

Other Significant Executive Orders

Beyond immigration, other significant executive orders were issued during this period, addressing various policy priorities.

• Healthcare, Infrastructure, and National Security: Examples included orders related to healthcare regulations, infrastructure spending, and national security initiatives. These orders varied widely in their scope and impact, but each contributed to shaping the policy landscape.
• Key Provisions and Consequences: The specific provisions and potential consequences of these executive orders were analyzed based on their individual merits. Their cumulative impact on the administration's overall policy objectives was a subject of ongoing discussion.

Keywords: Executive orders, healthcare reform, infrastructure development, national security, presidential decrees.

Conclusion

Trump's second 100 days witnessed significant developments across various policy areas, leaving a lasting impact on trade relations, environmental protection, and the regulatory landscape. Analyzing the effects of the trade wars, regulatory rollbacks, and executive orders detailed above is crucial for understanding the trajectory of the Trump administration. Further research into the long-term effects of these actions is necessary to fully grasp the legacy of Trump's Second 100 Days and its implications for the future. To stay updated on the ongoing developments and implications of Trump's Second 100 Days and beyond, continue to follow reputable news sources and policy analysis.