Trump's Next 100 Days: A Deep Dive Into Trade, Deregulation, And Executive Actions

5 min read Post on Apr 29, 2025

Trump's Next 100 Days: A Deep Dive Into Trade, Deregulation, And Executive Actions

Trade Policy: Navigating Global Markets Under Trump

Trump's approach to trade has been marked by a focus on bilateral agreements, renegotiating existing deals, and imposing tariffs. His next 100 days will likely see continued efforts in this direction.

Re-evaluating Trade Deals

The potential renegotiation or withdrawal from existing trade agreements remains a significant area of focus. This could lead to significant shifts in global trade dynamics.

NAFTA Renegotiation: Expect ongoing negotiations, potentially leading to a revised agreement or even a complete withdrawal of the US from NAFTA. This will have significant implications for the economies of the US, Canada, and Mexico.
WTO Reform: Trump's administration may push for significant reforms within the World Trade Organization, aiming for a more bilateral approach to trade negotiations. This could challenge the existing multilateral system.
New Bilateral Agreements: The administration may prioritize establishing new bilateral trade agreements with select countries, potentially favoring those viewed as more favorable trading partners.
Increased Tariffs: The use of tariffs as a bargaining chip remains a possibility, potentially escalating trade wars with certain nations.

Impact on Specific Industries

The outcomes of these trade policy shifts will significantly affect various US industries.

US Agriculture Exports: Renegotiations concerning NAFTA could disrupt established export markets for American agricultural products, leading to uncertainty and potential losses for farmers.
Manufacturing Jobs: Tariffs and trade wars could benefit some domestic manufacturers, but may also raise the costs of imported goods, potentially hurting consumers and other businesses.
Tech Sector Regulations: The tech sector might face increased scrutiny and potentially stricter regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and international trade.

China Relations and Trade Tensions

The US-China trade relationship remains a crucial focal point.

Trade Deficit: Addressing the significant trade deficit with China is a priority for the Trump administration, potentially leading to further trade sanctions or negotiations aimed at reducing the imbalance.
Intellectual Property Theft: Concerns over intellectual property theft remain a major point of contention, potentially leading to further punitive actions against Chinese companies.
Bilateral Trade Agreements: The possibility of negotiating a new, more favorable bilateral trade agreement with China cannot be ruled out, although the likelihood remains uncertain.

Deregulation: Unwinding Obama-Era Policies

A central tenet of Trump's agenda has been the rollback of regulations implemented during the Obama administration. His next 100 days will likely witness further efforts in this direction.

Environmental Regulations

Significant deregulation efforts are anticipated within the environmental sector.

Clean Power Plan Rollback: Expect continued efforts to dismantle or weaken the Clean Power Plan, potentially leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions Standards: Regulations concerning vehicle emissions and other pollution sources are likely to be loosened or removed, impacting air and water quality.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Funding: Reduced funding for the EPA could hamper its enforcement capabilities and further weaken environmental protections.

Financial Regulations

Changes to financial regulations are also expected.

Dodd-Frank Reform: Further weakening of the Dodd-Frank Act, intended to reform financial regulations, may increase risks within the financial sector.
Wall Street Regulations: Reduced oversight of Wall Street could potentially increase the likelihood of future financial crises.
Banking Regulations: Easing banking regulations could make it easier for banks to operate, but also potentially increase the risk of systemic failures.

Healthcare Regulations

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains a target for potential changes.

Affordable Care Act Repeal: Attempts to repeal or significantly weaken the ACA could leave millions without health insurance and increase healthcare costs.
Healthcare Reform: Expect continued efforts to reform the US healthcare system, potentially focusing on market-based solutions and deregulation.
Healthcare Access: The impact of healthcare deregulation on access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable populations will be significant.

Executive Actions: The Power of the Presidency

The use of executive actions will likely play a significant role in shaping policy during the next 100 days.

Use of Executive Orders

Executive orders will be employed to bypass Congress and enact policy changes swiftly.

Immigration Policy: Executive orders impacting immigration policy, border security, and asylum seekers are highly probable.
Trade Policy: Executive orders could be used to impose tariffs or initiate trade negotiations without congressional approval.
Environmental Regulations: Executive orders may be used to further weaken environmental protections.

Appointees and Their Influence

Key appointments to agencies will shape policy implementation.

Cabinet Appointments: The influence of newly appointed cabinet secretaries on their respective agencies' policies will be substantial.
Agency Heads: The leadership of regulatory agencies will determine the extent of deregulation and enforcement efforts.
Regulatory Capture: The risk of regulatory capture, where agencies are influenced by the industries they regulate, remains a concern.

Judicial Challenges to Executive Actions

Executive actions are susceptible to legal challenges.

Judicial Review: Courts will likely review the legality of executive orders and other actions.
Supreme Court: The Supreme Court's rulings on these challenges will have lasting implications.
Constitutional Limits: The extent to which the President can bypass Congress through executive actions remains a key legal and political issue.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead: Trump's Next 100 Days and Beyond

The next 100 days will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of Trump's presidency. His actions regarding trade policy, deregulation, and the use of executive actions will reshape the American landscape and have far-reaching global consequences. The potential for significant shifts in various sectors, particularly trade, the environment, finance, and healthcare, is substantial. The potential for legal challenges to executive actions will add further uncertainty to the picture. Understanding these potential policy shifts is crucial for businesses, individuals, and policymakers alike. Stay informed about Trump's Next 100 Days and the unfolding impact on the US economy by subscribing to our newsletter!