First Executive Orders by Donald Trump (47th President of US)

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• Diversity and Inclusion: Rescinded Biden’s executive orders promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ protections.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