President Donald Trump on Tuesday reached his 100th day in office of his second, non-consecutive term, a period marked by a swift agenda centered on securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants, reducing the size and scope of the federal government, and enacting sweeping tariffs on foreign countries.
Economy: Tariffs and Mixed Economic Signals
Trump's first 100 days have seen a distinct emphasis on trade, with the implementation of what the White House called reciprocal tariffs on imports of foreign goods, which the administration says are necessary “to ensure fair trade, protect American workers, and reduce the trade deficit.”On April 2, during a speech declaring "Liberation Day," Trump announced a sweeping tariff policy that imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports, with even higher rates for countries that have big trade imbalances with the United States.
China was hit with a 34 percent tariff. That came on top of 20 percent punitive tariffs already imposed related to fentanyl trafficking into the United States. After tit-for-tat increases between the countries, China now faces Trump administration tariffs of 145 percent on some goods, while Chinese tariffs imposed on U.S. goods are 125 percent.
Stock markets in the United States and Asia experienced volatility after the tariffs were announced. Trump later indicated more agility on some of his policies, signaling ongoing negotiations with China and freezing tariffs on certain imports, particularly electronics.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Monday that Trump will ease some levies imposed on foreign auto parts intended for use in U.S.-made vehicles, following weeks of intense lobbying by industry leaders warning of supply chain disruptions and rising costs for consumers.
Immigration Policies: Border Security Focus and Sanctuary City Crackdown
A central theme of Trump's first 100 days has been his promise to control the border and stem the tide of illegal immigration.The number of people trying to cross into the United States from Mexico has dropped steeply compared to the previous year.
Trump is also moving forward with a crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities, which offer protections to illegal immigrants and regularly refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the attorney general and homeland security secretary to publish a list of cities the administration says “obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” This order comes days after a federal judge in California blocked a previous bid by Trump to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
Education: Targeting ‘Woke’ Policies and the Harvard Standoff
The Trump administration has initiated actions targeting what it considers “woke” policies in education, particularly at the university level. These efforts stem from campaign promises to combat anti-Semitism on campuses, to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and to scrutinize foreign students involved in activities considered hostile to American values.After Harvard University refused to accept demands related to those and other issues, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal dollars that would have gone to the university.
Harvard sued on April 21, accusing the administration of violating its free speech and impeding academic freedom. Trump plans to withhold another $1 billion from Harvard and has discussed revoking the school’s tax-exempt status.
The Trump administration has also threatened to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students, who make up more than a quarter of its enrollment (and pay substantial tuition fees), and has frozen over $2 billion in federal grants and contracts.
These efforts extend beyond Harvard, with the Trump administration also investigating other universities.
Government Reduction: The Role of DOGE and Workforce Cuts
A key aspect of Trump's agenda has been the reduction of the size and scope of the federal government, largely spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. Trump had promised to “restore competence and effectiveness” to the federal government by establishing DOGE to combat waste, fraud, and abuse.DOGE staff have been deployed across federal agencies, encouraging the firing of tens of thousands of federal employees, overseeing the dismantling of agencies, and slashing spending in a range of areas. Agencies such as Department of Health and Human Services, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Agency for Global Media, the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the Education Department, the Defense Department, the National Weather Service, Voice of America, and the National Park Service have seen jobs eliminated.
Trump said DOGE has been a “very big success,” and praised Musk for his work. Media reports indicate Musk is planning to leave his role in the coming weeks. Musk’s status as a “special government employee” only allows him to work for 130 days.
DOGE’s efforts have faced legal setbacks and public backlash, with dozens of federal lawsuits challenging its activities.
Foreign Policy at Large: Trade Disputes and Shifting Alliances
Beyond the specific case of Ukraine, Trump's first 100 days have seen a reshaping of America’s broader foreign policy position, marked by trade disputes and a recalibration of alliances. The escalating tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and China, initially framed as retribution for allowing fentanyl into the United States, and the subsequent broader tariffs, demonstrate a move toward a more protectionist trade stance.The administration has also taken steps that could affect international cooperation on other fronts. The United States has, for the second time under Trump’s leadership, withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement to drastically reduce carbon emissions. Trump has also ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and remove state laws and policies designed to ameliorate climate change that the administration deems unconstitutional or that contradict federal law.
Russia–Ukraine War: Trump’s Promise of a Swift Resolution
During his election campaign, Trump repeatedly promised a swift end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, stating he could settle it in one day. However, the war continues as he marks his 100th day in office.Trump and Vice President JD Vance had a fiery exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Feb. 28. However, recent weeks have suggested a change in position. Trump has stated that he believes Zelenskyy is prepared to give up his claim to Crimea as part of a cease-fire deal to end the war. If Zelenskyy were to agree, it would represent a major shift in Ukraine's stance, as Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014.
On Monday, Russia declared a 72-hour cease-fire in Ukraine. The cease-fire will start next week to mark the May 8 anniversary of Victory in Europe Day in World War II.