One Hundred Days of Disruption: The Tumultuous Early Chapter of Trump’s Second Term
GerikSummary:
President Trump's first 100 days of his second term have been marked by unprecedented turbulence, reshaping the U.S. government structure, global trade order, and foreign relations, while fueling economic uncertainty...
Radical Overhaul of U.S. Government Operations
Donald Trump's return to the White House on January 20 initiated an aggressive agenda to fulfill his campaign promises of "Making America Great Again." Central to this vision was the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, intended to slash government costs and streamline operations. However, instead of efficiency, DOGE's aggressive cuts led to administrative chaos, delays in decision-making, increased operational costs, and widespread resignations across critical sectors such as science and technology.
While DOGE claims savings of $160 billion, independent evaluations suggest that the true cost to American taxpayers may be as high as $135 billion for the current fiscal year. Over 100,000 federal employees were either fired, reassigned, or placed on administrative leave, severely weakening the administrative core of the U.S. government. Simultaneously, Trump’s attempt to abolish the Department of Education faces legislative hurdles, indicating that even within a Republican-controlled Congress, full institutional dismantling remains challenging.
Trade Policies Upending Global Order
President Trump's approach to trade has been characterized by unprecedented aggressiveness. On April 2, he announced sweeping retaliatory tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on more than 180 countries and territories, using trade deficit figures as the primary benchmark for policy. The most severe escalation occurred against China, with tariffs surging to 145%, and up to 245% on specific Chinese products.
The effects have been profound: sharp disruptions in global supply chains, plummeting U.S. and global stock markets, and growing fears of a full-fledged trade war. Although Trump eventually paused new tariffs for 90 days to allow negotiations (excluding China), the backlog of pending trade agreements and mounting administrative burden suggest that long-term resolution remains distant.
Ironically, despite escalating protectionism, the administration claims that foreign investors have pledged over $5 trillion in new U.S. investments—a figure met with skepticism given the volatile environment and limited corroboration.
Shockwaves Across U.S. Foreign Policy
In foreign affairs, Trump's actions have been even more jarring. From the controversial ambition to purchase Greenland and threats to annex Canada as the 51st state, to blunt demands that NATO members raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, Trump’s initiatives have strained alliances.
Efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict have similarly faltered. Although Trump pledged to end the war within his first day in office, recent admissions suggest that the promise was an exaggeration. A brief meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky at Pope Francis’ funeral offered a glimmer of diplomatic engagement, but substantive progress remains elusive.
Internal and Global Sentiment Turning Negative
Public dissatisfaction within the U.S. has intensified. CNN polls reveal that 59% of Americans believe Trump's policies have worsened the economy, up from 51% in March. Similarly, 60% report higher living costs due to new trade policies, and only 12% feel any benefit from his agenda. Reuters/Ipsos surveys confirm these trends, with economic approval ratings for Trump slipping from 42% in January to 37% by late April.
Internationally, Trump's unpredictability is reshaping alliances and emboldening adversaries. Reuters observed that Trump's actions are dismantling post-World War II global order structures that the U.S. originally championed, while CNN warned that the world teeters on the edge of crises due to Washington’s erratic new posture.
Trump’s first 100 days of his second presidency illustrate a governance style rooted in disruption, aimed at overturning established norms domestically and globally. While he energizes a core political base with nationalist rhetoric and bold reforms, the broader consequences—economic volatility, fractured alliances, and deepening public skepticism—suggest that the most turbulent days may still lie ahead. The trajectory set by Trump 2.0 will be closely watched, particularly as it could shape not only America's midterm elections but also global geopolitical stability for years to come.
Source: CNN
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