In just 100 days, he has set in motion sweeping changes both at home and abroad, captured here through 10 revealing charts.
Donald Trump has signed more executive orders in his first 100 days of this second presidency than the most recent presidents managed in their entire first terms. His latest total is half the total number signed by Barack Obama during his eight years presidency, underlining the speed at which Mr Trump is seeking to push through his agenda.
Public opinion has shifted quickly. At the 100-day mark, 54 per cent of Americans strongly or somewhat disapprove of Mr Trump’s handling of the presidency, while only 41 per cent approve. Just a month ago, more Americans approved than disapproved. The turnaround suggests a growing discomfort with the style and direction of Mr Trump’s leadership.
USAID cuts
One of Mr Trump's first major executive actions was to freeze US foreign aid, pending a 90-day review. The effects were swift and dramatic. By the end of January, the review was concluded, the USAID website was taken offline by 2 February, and the headquarters in Washington DC was closed shortly after. By March 10, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83 per cent of USAID programmes and contracts had been cancelled, sending shockwaves through the global aid community. The administration later made exemptions for HIV and malaria funding in parts of Africa.
Tariffs and trade wars
Mr Trump wasted little time in shaking up global trade. On February 1, he signed an executive order imposing tariffs on goods coming into the US from Canada, Mexico and China. By March 4, a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports and a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods had come into effect. Retaliation was swift. Canada imposed a 25 per cent surcharge on American electricity imports, although it later backed down following threats of even steeper tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium. By mid-March Mr Trump was engaged in reciprocal tariff war with Europe and China.
Impact on Markets
The tit-for-tat tariff measures sent shockwaves through financial markets. The S&P 500 wobbled, the US Dollar Index slipped, and the Volatility Index soared to its highest level so far this year. Investors rushed towards safe havens, pushing the price of gold to its highest levels in recent years, reflecting fears of deeper economic instability.
Deportations and entry restrictions
Stricter immigration policies have had an immediate effect on travel to the US. In March, the number of overseas visitors fell by 12 per cent compared to the previous year, with particularly sharp declines from Europe and several Arab countries. Travel from Lebanon was down 28 per cent, from Egypt down 12 per cent, and from Iran down 23 per cent. Heightened visa restrictions and a perception of hostility are widely seen as contributing factors.
BLACKBERRY
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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HOW TO WATCH
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'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
