Prices will soar and trade could be badly impacted around the world during Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in The White House, according to an expert. Dr Thomas Gift fired the warning as the 78-year-old Republican Party leader is set to begin his second term as President of the United States.
President Trump scooped the majority vote against Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, to make him a double record-setting President. As well as being the first former president to be re-elected in over 130 years, the win sees him becoming the oldest man to ever be elected to office, taking the title from former President Joe Biden.
The Mirror reports Trump and his allies have some pretty ambitious plans for his first 100 days in office – from mass deportations and sky-high tariffs, to upping US fossil fuel production. Trump’s victory is believed to have come as a result of his unequivocal promise to “end inflation” for struggling Americans.
But his second term may do the opposite, and instead send consumer prices soaring for the average American. Dr Gift, Director of the Centre on US Politics at UCL spoke about his tenure amid growing fears that the economy will be thrown into chaos with Trump’s plans to impose sky-high tariffs on all imports into the US.
Dr Gift says the move will likely happen immediately, with Trump being able to impose these tariffs as soon as he becomes president – without needing any congressional approval. He explained: “Trump can make a number of executive orders and actions that do not require congressional approval – and that includes tariffs.
“His ability to push through legislation will be conditioned by whether the Republicans will take the House of Representatives. If they take the house, there will be a unified government in Washington, which is essential for Trump getting through his legislative agenda.
“But regardless of congress, the first thing Trump will do is push through a number of executive orders and executive actions, including deregulation. The big thing he will do is impose tariffs upwards of 10-20% on all imports into the United States, and upwards of 60% tariffs on imports from China.”
Europe is especially set to take a big hit from this, as they sell around one-fifth of their imports to the United States. Dr Gift adds: “It could have deleterious effects for trade and the international economy more generally. In the US, those tariffs will essentially translate into higher prices for consumers because they’re getting passed onto everyday Americans on items that they purchase.
“Tariffs are certainly going to be a big part of Trump’s agenda, and he can impose these tariffs with or without Congress.” When it comes to his immigration policies, Trump can expect to face major obstacles, making a “mass deportation” programme extremely unlikely. This is due to the many operational, legal and political challenges that come with carrying out such plans.
Dr Gift says: “Presidents have the first 100 days to get through their legislative agenda, generally, so it really depends on what Trump chooses to prioritise. I think that a mass deportation programme is extremely unlikely, given the inability of Congress in the past to enact bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform.
“There are some things Trump can do – he’s going to push for the border wall, he’s going to push for more spending, more security at the border – but promises to undertake mass deportations are unrealistic, and are not going to transpire.” Environmentalists both in the US and across the world have also suffered a major blow in the wake of Trump’s victory.
Dr Gift says many activists believe he will have have degrading effects and contribute to climate change. He explained: “If you’re an environmentalist, you’re probably not looking forward to the Trump Administration. Trump has promised to ramp up energy production within the US, which includes fracking, in states like Pennsylvania for example, which became a major campaign issue.
“Environmentalists believe it will have degrading effects on the environment and will contribute to climate change. He’ll push through a lot of deregulation for corporations, meaning there will be less stringent requirements on the use of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources.”
Another major area of concern amongst democrats’ is the potential for a national abortion ban under Trump – but it appears as though the president won’t have as much power over the decision as is feared. Dr Gift says that Trump does not sup a national abortion ban.
He said Trump has largely taken the position that these decisions should be relegated to the states. He said: “There’s really no chance of federal legislation on this particular issue. I think that was a big campaign issue for democrats, but in reality, the president has very little power over that. It’s in the hands of the states.”
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