Syllabus :GS 2/IR
In News
- Recently, 47th President of US Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on his first day in office.
About Executive orders
- They are official directives issued by the President to manage the federal government.
- They can instruct federal agencies, request reports, or implement major policies.
- While some orders are minor, like granting holidays to federal employees, others set out significant policy changes, such as establishing regulations on artificial intelligence.
- Presidents often use executive orders to achieve goals that may not pass through Congress.
Key Highlights of Trump’s Executive Orders
- Pardons: Pardoned 1,500 individuals, including those involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, such as members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.
- Immigration: Reversed Biden-era policies, prioritizing deportation of all undocumented individuals.
- Suspended the U.S. refugee resettlement program for four months.
- Declared a national emergency on the U.S.-Mexico border and sent troops to assist immigration enforcement.
- Proposed ending birthright citizenship, facing anticipated legal challenges.
- Undoing Biden Policies: Revoked 78 executive orders by Biden, covering topics such as COVID relief, diversity, and clean energy.
- Directed federal agencies to preserve records related to alleged political persecutions.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Rescinded Biden’s executive orders promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ protections.
- Government Efficiency: Created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, to streamline federal operations, facing immediate legal challenges.
- Climate and Energy: Withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. Reversed restrictions on oil drilling in the Arctic and on federal lands, focusing on energy independence.
- Declared a national energy emergency to boost oil and gas production.
- Inflation and Economy: Ordered departments to take measures to reduce prices, citing Biden’s policies as contributing to inflation.
- Signaled plans for 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and directed agencies to assess China’s compliance with trade deals.
- Foreign Policy and Aid: Paused foreign development assistance for 90 days to assess its alignment with U.S. interests.
- Rejected the OECD global minimum corporate tax deal, stating it requires Congressional approval.
- Free Speech: Signed an order aimed at restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship of online platforms.
- Health Policy: Withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Implications for U.S.-India Relations
- Trade Policies: Trump’s protectionist stance could result in increased tariffs on Indian exports, as the U.S. is India’s largest export market.
- Potential WTO rule violations could complicate bilateral trade relations.
- Opportunities in Manufacturing: Trump’s aggressive stance on China may open doors for India’s manufacturing sector, particularly through production-linked incentives (PLIs).
- However, India needs to push structural reforms to capitalize on this opportunity.
- Technology and Innovation: India’s STEM talent could benefit from U.S. investments in AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies.
- India’s IT sector may see growth opportunities, although H-1B visa restrictions remain a risk.
- Immigration and Visas: Stricter immigration policies, including H-1B visa restrictions, could adversely affect Indian professionals working in the U.S.
- India’s IT firms may face challenges in deploying talent to U.S. markets.
- Energy and Climate: Trump’s focus on fossil fuels contrasts with India’s renewable energy ambitions, creating divergence in climate cooperation.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- Donald Trump’s presidency could reshape global economic dynamics, influencing business and geopolitical relations, including India’s investments in the US.
- Despite the challenges, India’s relationship with the US under Trump’s second term could lead to a transformative period, requiring careful navigation of trade, immigration, and diplomatic issues.
Source: TH
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