Trump’s 100 days in office: Tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and controversial moves | World News
In his first 100 days in the White House, US President Donald Trump has taken bold and often controversial steps to reshape domestic and international policy from slapping huge tariffs on imports to changing immigration laws, downsizing the federal government, and rolling back diversity programs.According to reports Associated Press (AP), Trump’s fast-paced decisions have sparked lawsuits, market unrest, and global tensions.
Tariffs shake global trade
One of Trump’s most aggressive moves was reintroducing high tariffs. On April 2, dubbed “Liberation Day,” he announced tariffs as high as 145 per cent on Chinese goods and 26 per cent on Indian products, aiming to reduce trade imbalances and boost American manufacturing. “I believe that it’s up to China to de-escalate,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, noting that the US buys much more from China than it sells.
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However, the sudden hike rattled global markets. The AP reported that the S&P 500 dropped 7.9 per cent the worst start for a US president since the 1970s. After backlash, Trump paused most tariffs for 90 days to allow trade talks.
Tougher immigration policies
The Trump adminration has pushed hard on immigration, deporting 139,000 people in its first three months. Border crossings dropped sharply from nearly 250,000 in December 2023 to just over 7,000 in March 2025. Yet, rights groups criticized the lack of due process in many deportations.
In one case, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man with a court order preventing his removal, was deported and is now imprisoned back home. The AP noted that the Supreme Court has ordered his return, but the adminration hasn’t complied.
Trump has also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants — a move being challenged in federal court.Story continues below this ad
DEI programs dismantled
The president has eliminated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies, military bodies, and schools receiving government funds. “We are getting rid of woke indoctrination,” Trump said. When Harvard University resed federal demands, Trump responded freezing $2.1 billion in funding and threatening its tax-exempt status. Harvard has sued the government in return.
Pardons for January 6 rioters
Perhaps most divisive was Trump’s decision to pardon around 1,500 people charged in the January 6 Capitol riots. He now refers to them as “patriots,” reversing earlier criticism. Legal experts warned this could set a dangerous precedent. The Justice Department is reviewing whether such mass pardons violate constitutional limits.
Israel-Gaza and Ukraine-Russia conflicts
On foreign policy, Trump claimed credit for a short-lived ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, but fighting resumed and over 2,000 more Palestinians have died since. The Washington Post reported that Trump even proposed relocating Palestinians and turning Gaza into a “Middle East Riviera,” sparking outrage.
Regarding Ukraine, Trump suggested Ukraine give up Crimea to end the war with Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy firmly rejected this: “There is nothing to talk about — it is our land.”Story continues below this ad
Shrinking the Government
With Elon Musk heading the new Department of Government Efficiency, the adminration has slashed about 280,000 federal jobs through firings and buyouts. Musk initially claimed the effort would save $1 trillion but later revised it to $150 billion, a figure experts doubt is achievable.
140 executive orders in 100 days
Trump has issued about 140 executive orders — close to what Biden signed in four years. “These are very aggressive assertions of presidential authority,” said political scient John Woolley. The orders cover everything from tariffs to healthcare cuts, passing Congress in many cases.
