Key Points
- President Trump’s second term has seen an unprecedented flurry of executive actions, reshaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy within his first 100 days.
- Mass deportations, sweeping tariffs, and withdrawal from global organizations have strained relations with Europe and other allies.
- Trump’s aggressive “America First” agenda has fueled anti-American sentiment in Europe and triggered global economic uncertainty.
- Major policy shifts include ending U.S. participation in NATO and WHO, slashing foreign aid, and realigning with Russia on Ukraine.
- Trump’s administration is marked by rapid personnel changes, mass firings, and a rollback of climate and diversity initiatives.
New Delhi: President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has unleashed a whirlwind of policy shifts and executive actions, dramatically altering the U.S. and global landscape in just 100 days. With the Republican Party controlling both chambers of Congress, Trump has wielded his authority to enact an aggressive “America First” agenda, leaving allies unsettled and adversaries emboldened.
Mass Deportations and Immigration Crackdown
One of Trump’s most controversial moves has been the rapid escalation of mass deportations. Within days of taking office, he appointed a new “border czar” and ordered sweeping ICE raids across major U.S. cities, targeting undocumented immigrants and even asylum seekers with legal status. Deportations have surged, with thousands expelled without due process, often in shackles and via military aircraft. These actions have torn families apart and created a climate of fear among immigrant communities.
Tariffs and Trade Wars: Global Economic Fallout
Trump’s imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” has triggered a global trade war. The U.S. now levies tariffs as high as 104% on Chinese imports, 26% on Indian goods, and 20% on products from the European Union, among others. These sweeping tariffs have rattled global markets and prompted the European Union to prepare countermeasures, warning that the new trade barriers threaten jobs, supply chains, and economic stability on both sides of the Atlantic. European leaders have decried the move as a “major blow to the world economy,” and anti-American sentiment is rising, with consumer boycotts gaining traction across Europe.
NATO and Transatlantic Tensions
Perhaps the most consequential foreign policy shift is Trump’s threat to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, accusing European allies of underfunding their defense and relying too heavily on American support. This has alarmed European governments and fueled fears about the future of Western security. Public opinion of the U.S. has plummeted across Europe, with many viewing Trump’s leadership as detrimental to global stability.
U.S. Withdraws from WHO, Slashes Foreign Aid
Continuing his retreat from multilateralism, Trump has ordered the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), cutting off crucial funding and technical support. The administration has also gutted USAID, terminating thousands of foreign assistance grants and saving nearly $60 billion, leaving many developing countries scrambling to fill the gap left by lost American aid.
Realignment on Ukraine and Russia
In a dramatic departure from previous U.S. policy, Trump has opened direct negotiations with Russia over the war in Ukraine, sidelining both Ukraine and European allies in the process. While Trump claims to seek a quick end to the conflict, critics say his willingness to concede territory and halt military support to Kyiv amounts to appeasement of Moscow, further straining transatlantic relations.
Domestic Overhaul: Mass Firings and Rollback of Reforms
Domestically, Trump has signed more executive orders than any modern predecessor, targeting climate regulations, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and federal hiring practices. He has overseen mass firings of federal employees, including inspectors general, civil rights officials, and agency heads, replacing them with loyalists and consolidating executive power. Climate policies have been reversed, with the U.S. exiting the Paris Agreement and rolling back clean energy mandates.
The World Reacts: Uncertainty and Division
Trump’s first 100 days have left America’s allies scrambling to adapt. European nations are preparing for a more divided and unpredictable transatlantic partnership, while populist and hard-right movements in Europe find new momentum. The global economic order faces unprecedented uncertainty, and the future of U.S. leadership on the world stage is in question.
President Trump’s second term has upended both domestic norms and international alliances, setting the stage for a turbulent era marked by bold, often unilateral actions with far-reaching consequences.
