Donald Trump begins mandate as 47th President of the United States

The President issued an unprecedented series of executive orders in the early hours of his term, decisively dictating the political line that would characterise his administration.

US Capitol Image by Phillip Roulain from Pixabay
US Capitol Image by Phillip Roulain from Pixabay

In a solemn ceremony, accompanied by the enthusiasm of a crowd of supporters, Donald John Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in Washington, D.C. After a four-year absence from the White House, where he had already served as the 45th President from 2017 to 2021, the Republican tycoon and politician immediately reaffirmed his promise to bring a ‘wind of change’ within the federal administration.

United States Capitol rotunda

Due to an exceptional cold wave, the ceremony was held inside the Capitol Rotunda for the first time since 1985, instead of outdoors.

Among the many guests present were Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the only European head of government to attend, and Argentine President Javier Milei. The event was also attended by the four living former Presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the latter accompanied by Kamala Harris, outgoing Vice President and Trump’s opponent in the 2024 presidential election.

No representatives of the European institutions, including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, were invited to the ceremony. However, the presence of Nigel Farage, Britain’s anti-EU leader, underlined the pro-Sovereignist political imprint of the event. Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s ultra-right AfD, declined the invitation due to her commitments related to the upcoming elections in Germany, sending party co-leader Tino Chrupalla instead.

Among the guests were prominent personalities such as Mike Pence, Dan Quayle and Hillary Clinton. The ceremony was also attended by important leaders of the technology sector, including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Their presence highlighted the increasingly central role of technology in the global policies and strategic visions of the new Trump administration.

Donald J. Trump Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Donald J. Trump Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

After a break from his first term, Donald Trump has used his accumulated experience to orchestrate a triumphant return to the White House. From his first hours in office, he issued a series of executive orders, setting an unprecedentedly fast legislative pace.

Notable among the major initiatives adopted are:

Immigration reform

Trump introduced new provisions to strengthen border security and speed up deportations of undocumented immigrants. Prominent among the reforms is the abolition of Ius Soli, ending the automatic right of citizenship by birth on American soil, enshrined in the Constitution.

This policy has sparked intense global debate, attracting the attention of Pope Francis. In a recent speech, the pontiff expressed concern about the announced measures, reiterating the importance of welcoming migrants in a spirit of inclusion and solidarity. However, the Vatican has also shown a change: a new Vatican ordinance provides for penalties of up to four years in prison and a 25,000 euro fine for those who illegally enter the territory of the Papal States.

Exit from the Paris Accords and the WHO

Trump has confirmed the US withdrawal from both the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organisation (WHO). These exits, already implemented during his first term and later withdrawn by the Biden administration, mark a sharp reversal in US environmental and health policies.

Release of the Capitol Hill rioters

The new US President pardoned more than 1,500 people involved in the 6 January 2021 uprising and occupation of Congress.

Restoration of the federal death penalty

President Donald Trump signed an order to reinstate the federal death penalty, lifting the moratorium introduced by Joe Biden in 2021. The order provides for the mandatory application of the death penalty in cases of murder of an agent or capital crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Trump also instructed the Attorney General to ensure the supply of drugs required for lethal injection.

Suspension of foreign assistance

The new president ordered a 90-day temporary suspension of all foreign assistance programmes, pending a review to check their alignment with the White House’s new policy priorities.

U.S.A. Flag Image by Ralph from Pixabay
U.S.A. Flag Image by Ralph from Pixabay

America first, always

Internationally, Donald Trump announced a foreign policy focused on national interests, with a firm approach towards China, the European Union and military alliances such as NATO. ‘America First,’ he said in his inaugural address, echoing the distinctive slogan of his election campaign.

Trump’s return to the White House also represents a significant turning point for the Republican Party, which appears more united and determined than in recent years. The speed with which the first measures were introduced underlines a strategy determined to consolidate its policies in the first 100 days of its mandate.

The coming weeks will be crucial to measure the impact of these initial decisions and to understand whether the heralded ‘winds of change’ will lead to lasting transformation or give rise to new challenges for the nation.

A Visa will be required for entry into the UK from 2025

WEF Davos: Donald Trump’s speech

In his first international speech since returning to the White House, Donald Trump participated in a video conference at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in which he listed his priorities for his second term, addressing key topics such as trade, defence, energy and global diplomacy.

Trade and Tariffs

Trump reiterated his ‘America First’ message, urging global companies to produce in the US, promising a reduced tax rate of 15% for those operating in the country. He warned that companies that do not respect this line will be subject to tariffs.

Criticism of the EU

He denounced European bureaucracy and unfair trade treatment of US products, particularly in the agricultural and automotive sectors, suggesting the possibility of new tariff disputes.

NATO – Defence Spending

Trump has asked allies to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, reviving one of his most controversial demands and marking a potential new rift in transatlantic relations.

Ukraine and Oil Prices

Trump argued that lower oil prices could end the war between Russia and Ukraine, pledging to pressure OPEC and declaring his intention to meet with Putin to negotiate peace.

Energy and LNG

He reassured European allies on the continuity of LNG exports from the US and promised to accelerate energy projects to stabilise prices.

With his speech, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to defending US interests, outlining a leadership that is pragmatic, determined and focused on concrete results.

 

K16 TRADE & CONSULTING SWITZERLAND