WASHINGTON – In a move that left political analysts buzzing, President Donald Trump, only hours into his second term, opted not to unveil sweeping changes to America's trade policy on day one. Instead of jumping straight into the punitive tariffs predictions that dominated his campaign rhetoric, Trump hinted at using tariffs strategically to advance his agenda.

In an off-the-cuff press conference while signing numerous executive orders, Trump hinted at a potentially volatile future for international trade relations. His remarks about employing tariffs as leverage were particularly pointed regarding China, suggesting that tariffs might be the key to negotiating a deal concerning the popular social media app TikTok, which has been under scrutiny due to its Chinese ownership.

He was equally critical of Canada and Mexico, indicating that 25% tariffs could be implemented due to their perceived lenience toward illegal immigration and the importation of fentanyl. "We can no longer allow mass incursions," Trump declared, exacerbating trade tensions in North America.

Trump expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. trade with the European Union, where he claimed that American goods have a hard time penetrating the market. "They don’t take our cars, they don’t take our farm products... So we’ll figure that out with either tariffs or they have to buy our oil," he stated, illustrating his confrontational approach to trade and his focus on what he perceives as imbalances.

This aggressive tone marked Trump’s inauguration agenda, which also included striking withdrawals from key global accords, such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement. The newly minted administration signaled its intention to prioritize national interests over international cooperation, with sweeping executive actions meant to reshape the U.S. economic landscape fundamentally.

Among the most controversial actions were declarations of national emergencies to enhance border security and promote unfettered fossil fuel extraction. Notably, Trump’s decision to shield TikTok from immediate prohibition for 75 days received applause from many users, even though it still hangs in the balance, with complications emerging regarding compliance with U.S. regulations.

Fascinatingly, Trump proposed radical ideas like renaming the Gulf of Mexico and reigniting claims over the Panama Canal, which has been under Panamanian control since 1999. Critics are questioning whether these bold proclamations can turn into actionable policies, especially given Panama's outright rejection of any attempts to regain control.

Immigration Policy