Second presidential terms rarely see clear successes — and Donald Trump appears to be no exception. The first 100 days of his second term have been disappointing.
اضافة اعلان
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump urgently needs a "full reset" to salvage what remains of his presidency amid self-inflicted economic shocks and foreign policy turmoil.
The paper notes that Trump is active on several fronts. He’s made real progress in expanding domestic energy production, swiftly ended the border crisis, and rolled back some federal interventions. He was elected, the Journal argues, to counter the excesses of the left on climate, culture, and censorship — and he’s acting on that.
Limited Delivery on Big Promises
However, in many other areas, Trump’s actions haven’t lived up to his promises. His “Government Efficiency Act” has been rushed and yields unclear outcomes. He’s claimed only symbolic victories on several fronts, with no substantive change.
University Crisis
Trump's administration is also faltering in public-facing issues. A high-profile university controversy has sparked widespread debate.
While elite institutions like Harvard arguably need reform, imposing curricula or interfering in faculty hiring undermines free speech and could trigger legal defeats for the administration.
Similarly, although deporting criminals is vital, bypassing legal procedures and manipulating the courts could backfire.
The Major Crisis: Tariffs
Perhaps the most dangerous misstep is Trump’s tariff policy, which could end his presidency. He was re-elected to control inflation and boost real income — yet tariffs do the opposite: they raise consumer prices and threaten supply chains.
Job opportunities in the U.S. plummeted in March, although low layoff rates suggest the labor market remains resilient — for now. Still, these tariffs are considered the biggest economic shock since Nixon's withdrawal from the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971, which unleashed a wave of inflation and doomed Nixon’s second term.
America's Reliability at Stake
Tariffs are also damaging America’s international credibility. Trump's erratic approach to both allies and rivals has undermined global confidence in the U.S.
Republican donor and investor Ken Griffin described this as a "self-inflicted wound" to America’s global brand, accusing the U.S. of "unnecessarily surrendering its economic leadership."
A Gift to China
Meanwhile, China is filling the vacuum, strengthening ties with U.S. allies and portraying itself as a more stable partner. This could undermine efforts to build a trade coalition to counter China’s economic practices.
The Journal described Trump’s tariffs as a “real gift” to Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, signs show Trump is starting to realize the risks — he has spoken about up to 200 new trade deals and hinted at cutting his steep 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.
Trump’s Foreign Policy: Mixed Signals
Trump is trying to reshape foreign policy too — regaining control over sea routes and reimposing “maximum pressure” on Iran over its nuclear program — both seen as positive moves.
But his unilateral push for peace in Ukraine is raising alarms. He has so far refused to criticize Vladimir Putin, while pressuring Kyiv to make concessions that could invite further aggression.
Top U.S. universities have formed a bloc to counter Trump’s crackdown on academic freedom and research funding, according to insiders.
The Economist warns that while Biden's Afghanistan withdrawal shattered U.S. deterrence, any collapse in Ukraine would do the same for Trump — with serious consequences regarding Iran, North Korea, and China’s ambitions in the Pacific.
The outlet cautioned: don’t be surprised if China moves to seize Taiwan or impose a blockade. Trump’s typical response — tariffs — would likely prove ineffective.
“Running the U.S. — and the World”
On Monday, President Trump remarked that he's running not only the U.S. but the world, hinting that seeking re-election again might be too much after just 100 days back in office.
Final Verdict
Voters re-elected Trump partly out of nostalgia for the economic boom during his first term — driven by traditional GOP policies like tax reform and deregulation.
Today, however, Trump is led more by instinct than policy, and the results have been mostly negative.
He will fail unless he starts listening to warnings — from the market, from allies, and from his own party.
