In just 30 days since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has unleashed a wave of measures that have shaken the political, economic, and social landscape of the United States and the world.
Mass deportations, aggressive trade tariffs, a disruptive foreign policy, and controversial alliances are just some of the most contentious moves made by the New York magnate at the start of his term.
A first month marked by controversy
"The golden era of the United States begins now", proclaimed Trump on January 20, during his inauguration.
His return to power has been anything but discreet: he has signed 73 executive orders.
Executive orders that include diverse measures such as pardons for participants in the Capitol assault, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, the removal of prosecutors from the Biden era, and restrictions on the participation of transgender individuals in women's sports.
Mass deportations and a new war against immigration
One of Trump's first actions was to declare a national emergency at the border with Mexico.
He ordered the deployment of 15,000 military personnel to "secure" the southern border and promoted mass detentions of undocumented immigrants. More than 1,000 people have been deported in just one month.
In an even more controversial turn, the Guantánamo naval base in Cuba has been reactivated to house undocumented immigrants, with a capacity for 30,000 detainees.
The first deportees have already been sent to countries such as Guatemala and Colombia, following diplomatic pressure exerted with threats of imposing trade tariffs.
Aggressive tariffs and a global trade war
Trump's economic policy has been dominated by the imposition of tariffs.
On February 1, he announced a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, contingent upon concessions regarding border control and the fight against drug trafficking.
China, one of its main objectives, received a 10% tariff that could escalate to as much as 60%.
In response, the Asian giant imposed tariffs of 10 to 15% on American products.
The European Union has not escaped either: Trump has imposed reciprocal tariffs to equalize the taxes that European countries apply to products from the United States.
Disruptive Foreign Policy: Ukraine and Gaza
In his promise to end the war in Ukraine, Trump has taken controversial steps.
He proposed to continue military support to Kiev in exchange for access to strategic minerals.
Additionally, their approaches with Russia have excluded the European Union from the negotiation process, leaving Ukraine in a vulnerable position.
Tensions have reached a new level with incendiary statements against Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he has called a "dictator".
In Gaza, Trump has proposed to transform the Strip into a "Middle Eastern Riviera", forcibly displacing the Palestinian population.
This plan, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been strongly criticized by the international community.
Reactivation of some sanctions against Cuba and suspension of key migration programs
Upon his return to the presidency, Donald Trump implemented a series of measures that have impacted relations between the United States and Cuba, as well as the immigration situation of Cubans.
On January 20, 2025, on his first day in office, Trump revoked his predecessor Joe Biden's decision to remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
In addition to the reincorporation of Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the Trump administration has intensified economic sanctions against Cuba.
These measures include additional restrictions on trade and finance, aimed at pressuring the Cuban government. As a result, companies like Western Union have suspended their operations on the island, affecting the sending of remittances.
Trump signed executive orders that eliminate the humanitarian parole program, which allowed the legal entry and temporary stay of migrants from countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Similarly, the CBP One application has been deactivated, a tool used to manage asylum requests and other immigration procedures. These actions have left thousands of migrants in legal limbo, creating uncertainty about their status in the United States.
The most recent blow to Cuban immigrants has been the "administrative pause" in the immigration processes of hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries of programs such as humanitarian parole and family reunification.
This suspension, justified by concerns over fraud and security, affects those who were hoping to regularize their immigration status, leaving them in a state of uncertainty regarding their future in the United States.
More controversial measures
Environmental policies have also undergone a radical shift, with the removal of regulations that hindered oil and gas extraction. Under the slogan "Drill, baby, drill!", Trump has promoted an energy agenda that disregards warnings about climate change.
He has signed an executive order granting the White House unprecedented control over the independent regulatory agencies established by Congress.
Additionally, it put an end to federal assistance for undocumented immigrants and attempted to eliminate birthright citizenship.
In the workplace, mass layoffs were ordered in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amid growing concerns about the increase in air accidents.
He also proposed the immediate closure of the Department of Education and dismantled energy efficiency regulations previously imposed by the Biden administration.
Elon Musk, the new power player in the White House
Elon Musk has emerged as a key figure in the new government.
Under the responsibility of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), it has driven the closure of federal agencies and the massive reduction of personnel, with 75,000 officials already out of the system.
The elimination of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) marks the end of traditional international cooperation by the U.S.
Musk has also implemented a system to audit public spending, aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit of $2 trillion.
Withdrawal from international agreements and global tensions
In an isolationist move, Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Human Rights Council.
It has also suspended the participation of the United States in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Additionally, he has declassified files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr., a measure that could unveil secrets hidden for decades.
A month that has changed the global landscape
Trump's first month has redefined global geopolitical alliances, strained trade relations with traditional partners, and heightened the risk of international conflicts.
Their "America First" policy has resulted in a unilateral approach that has jeopardized the multilateral relations that have historically defined Washington's global position.
With 47 months ahead, the world watches with uncertainty how far Trump will go in his attempt to transform not only the United States but the global order.
Impact of Donald Trump's First Month in Office on the U.S. and the World
How many executive orders did Donald Trump sign in his first month in office?
Donald Trump has signed 73 executive orders in his first month in office, significantly surpassing the number of orders signed by his predecessor, Joe Biden, during the same period.
What measures has Trump taken regarding immigration in the U.S.?
In his return to the presidency, Trump has declared a national emergency at the border with Mexico, ordering the deployment of 15,000 military personnel to secure the southern border, in addition to implementing mass deportations and reactivating the naval base at Guantánamo to house undocumented immigrants.
How has Trump's tariff policy affected international trade relations?
Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on products from China, which could increase up to 60%. These actions have triggered retaliatory responses from the affected countries, such as China, which has imposed its own tariffs on American products.
What changes has Trump made to the policy towards Cuba?
Trump has reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism and has intensified economic sanctions, impacting trade and remittances. Additionally, he has eliminated migration programs such as humanitarian parole, leaving thousands of migrants in a state of legal uncertainty.
What is Trump's stance on international relations and global agreements?
Trump has adopted an isolationist policy, withdrawing the United States from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. His approach is "America first", which has strained relations with traditional allies and redefined global alliances.
Filed under:
