With the oath of January 20, Donald Trump is back in the White House as the 47th president of the United States, bringing with him his signature style: direct, often divisive and uncompromising. His first hours as president are a clear signal of the direction he intends to take both domestically and internationally. While tradition dictates that leaders focus on the first 100 days of their term, Trump has decided that his first 100 hours are the ones that count. And as always, he chose speed, frenzy, and breaking with the past.
Read EVEN Trump is president and he erases Biden's America
Trump: A flurry of executive orders to mark time
Already in the first hours of his second term, Trump began to sign a shower of executive orders. And he didn't limit himself to a few small changes: he prepared well over 100 decrees in advance. Among his first moves, proudly flaunted, the emergency at the border with Mexico to accelerate the construction of the wall, the withdrawal from the climate agreements and the WHO, and the announcement of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. At the moment, however, no news on tariffs for China and Europe. There was also no shortage of measures against civil rights, such as the return to biological definitions of sex in federal policies, a hard blow for the LGBT community. "No mercy", is his motto.
Immigration: The Wall Is Back, and With It the Hard Line. Stop Ius Soli
Trump immediately signed an order declaring the State of emergency at the border with Mexico, accelerating the construction of the wall and intensifying the expulsions of irregular immigrants. He also proposed suspending the admission of refugees until “national interests” are met. The most controversial move, however, is the attack on the “ius soli”: despite it being a constitutional right, Trump has announced his intention to abolish it, an initiative that is sure to spark heated legal debates. This return to a tough immigration policy demonstrates Trump's determination to address without delay one of the most divisive and controversial issues of his presidency.
Another step backwards on climate change
Trump has decided to continue on the path of breaking with the approach of his predecessors on the issue of changes climate. In a stroke of the pen, he has withdrew the United States by Paris climate agreements, aiming for a strong policy that puts fossil fuels back at the center. This act marks a return to support for increasing the oil production in Alaska and for fracking, the technique of extracting oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing “Drill baby drill”, Trump’s iconic phrase, was forcefully reiterated.
Withdrawal from WHO: A decisive farewell
In another decisive move, Trump announced the training camp of the United States fromWorld Health Organization (WHO). The president justified this move with the “mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic,” which originated in Wuhan, China, and “other global health crises.” In addition, the WHO was accused of “lacking urgent reforms” and “independence from inappropriate political influences of member states.” The president also contested the Organization’s requests for “unfairly burdensome payments” by the United States. A further manifestation of his “America First” policy, which characterized his first term and which does not seem to change one iota.
Pardon for Capitol Hill Rebels
While some are trying to restore order, Trump has made a controversial decision: he has granted the Presidential pardon to about 1.500 participants atCapitol Hill Storming of January 2021, including members of the Proud Boys and oath keepers. A move that has sparked controversy, especially among those who see this act as a threat to democratic stability. Trump justified his choice by saying that "we have to bring them home", also drawing criticism from Nancy Pelosi, who called it "an outrageous insult to our judicial system".
Wiping Biden's Legacy
Trump has decided to cancel 78 enforcement actions signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, defined by him as "one of the worst presidencies in history". Among these, the lifting sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the return of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Additionally, Trump imposed a “regulatory freeze” across all federal agencies, initiating a series of layoffs in the public administration with the aim of reducing bureaucracy and hiring only personnel aligned with his political vision. Among the most significant interventions, four high-ranking officials appointed by Biden have been removed, and “over a thousand others” are at risk of imminent dismissal. The president has also Smart working abolished for federal employees, in a clear sign of a return to a more traditional and centralized management of the administrative machine.
25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico
The President has announced his intention to impose 25% tariffs on all products from Canada e Mexico, starting from February 1st. The official reason is the alleged entry of “a lot of people” into the two countries, along with the accusation that, according to Trump, there is a flow of “a lot of fentanyl”. The news had an immediate impact on the markets, with the Mexican peso and the Canadian dollar recording a significant drop.
Asia ed Europe have breathed a sigh of relief (so far) as Trump has yet to impose immediate tariffs. However, he has said he is considering a global tariff on imported goods, although he is “not yet ready” to implement one, suggesting it could be “quick” if decided.
Gender Identity and Sex: The Return to Biological Definitions
And it doesn't end there. President Trump, in his second term, has continued to put strong and controversial measures on paper. Among these, one concerns the death penalty, with the aim of ensuring the supply of drugs for lethal injections, extending the measure also to "illegal aliens" who commit violent crimes. Another hot topic, the confirmation that There are only two genders: male e female. One of the most controversial directives signed by Trump calls for using biological “sex” in federal policies instead of “gender” or “gender identity.” The measure will also impact official documents, such as passports, and reduce protections for transgender people in federal prisons, sparking controversy in the Lgbt community.
Trump also has law postponed by 75 days for ban TikTok, giving ByteDance time to find a buyer not tied to the Chinese government. He added: “We may decide to impose tariffs on China if we find a deal and Beijing doesn’t approve it.”
The Gulf of America, Greenland and McKinley Returns
Trump reiterated the importance of Greenland for the United States, assuming that the Danish country will get used to the idea of its control because the US "needs it for international security. Furthermore, it has decided to rename the Gulf of Mexico in “Gulf of America” and to return the name of the highest peak in North America, located in Alaska, to the Republican president William McKinley, assassinated in 1901. So down with Obama's "Denali," and hello McKinley.
Marco Rubio New Secretary of State and Musk's "Roman Salute"
With the approval of the Senate, Marco Rubio Confirmed as Secretary of State, receiving broad bipartisan support, a sign of stability in an administration that intends to launch its foreign policy with a strong Republican imprint.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has taken the reins of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in the new Trump administration, aiming to reduce government costs. But that's not all that's attracting attention: the controversial billionaire has been at the center of controversy after a gesture during an inauguration event for Trump, which some critics accused of recalling a Nazi salute. On X, Musk responded sharply, saying his opponents “need better dirty tricks” and that the “everyone is Hitler” accusation was getting tired.
Reactions to Trump Bis
Donald Trump's return to the White House has created a climate of nervousness in Europe e in the rest of the world. While some more distant allies, such as Hamas, celebrate his role in ending the conflict in Gaza, others, such as theUkraine, are watching carefully as they wait to see whether the president will maintain a benign approach in his challenge to Russia. Europe, the echo of the “Trump bis” is particularly strong: Vincent van Peteghem, Belgian Finance Minister, warns the EU, suggesting that the American administration could push it to strengthen its economic autonomy, given the foreseeable resumption of protectionist policies. Other global powers are also watching the second term of the American president with attention. Moscow, while maintaining a cautious position, calls for respect for international agreements on the Panama Canal, while the China, while declaring itself ready to collaborate with Washington, does not hesitate to criticize Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO and his threats of tariffs on TikTok. Meanwhile, the Canada prepares to respond to a possible escalation of trade tariffs, but reiterates its willingness to dialogue. In short, between concerns and attempts to maintain active diplomacy, the world is preparing for a new season of international relations that promises to be anything but free of challenges.
