As President Trump enters the next phase of his second term, White House officials say his administration will prioritize international trade negotiations and foreign policy efforts, while also pursuing key legislative goals through reconciliation.
The first 100 days of Trump’s return to office were marked by a series of executive actions aimed at immigration, government deregulation, and cultural issues. Looking ahead, officials say the administration will continue using executive authority while also shifting focus toward longer-term diplomatic and economic initiatives.
Trade and Economic Diplomacy
Central to the administration’s agenda is a renewed emphasis on trade. Officials indicated that Trump aims to resolve tariff disputes and forge new agreements with key partners. Earlier this month, the president announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs to create space for negotiations, setting a deadline of July 8.
White House officials stated that the administration has received 18 trade proposals from various countries and is prioritizing discussions with 15 major global economies. Talks are reportedly ongoing with partners including India, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union.
Senior trade adviser Peter Navarro suggested that the administration could potentially reach “90 deals in 90 days,” although no formal agreements have been announced. While Trump has expressed optimism, he has offered few specifics regarding the state of negotiations.
Completing comprehensive trade deals within the current timeline would be a significant challenge. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced NAFTA, took years to finalize, as did earlier deals with China.
A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll found that 70 percent of Americans—47 percent of whom identified as Republicans—believe tariffs will negatively impact inflation. The same poll showed 64 percent disapprove of Trump’s handling of tariff policy.
Foreign Policy Challenges
On the foreign policy front, Trump is expected to continue efforts to mediate global conflicts and reduce tensions, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine quickly. While acknowledging that this pledge was partly rhetorical, he has continued to pursue diplomatic solutions. However, frustrations have grown regarding the positions of both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Steve Witkoff, the administration’s envoy for Middle East affairs, has also been involved in Russia-Ukraine discussions and recently met with Putin in Moscow. Trump described the situation as “very fragile” but expressed hope for progress.
The administration is also working to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and is engaged in diplomatic conversations with Iran to prevent wider regional escalation. Trump’s first major foreign trip of his term is scheduled for mid-May, with visits planned to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Legislative Outlook and Reconciliation Efforts
While much of Trump’s early agenda has been implemented through executive action, White House officials say a broader legislative strategy is now taking shape. The president has so far signed one major bill, the Laken Riley Act, which mandates federal detention of undocumented immigrants charged with certain crimes.
Republican lawmakers are preparing to introduce a sweeping reconciliation package that incorporates several key elements of Trump’s platform. Proposals include extending the 2017 tax cuts and eliminating federal taxes on tipped wages, overtime pay, and Social Security income.
However, internal Republican debates over spending cuts may complicate efforts to advance the bill. Trump has warned against reductions to programs such as Medicaid and Social Security, indicating he would veto any bill that includes such cuts.
Congressional committees are expected to begin markup sessions by May 9, with leadership aiming to send the package to the president’s desk by Memorial Day—a timeline some officials view as ambitious.
White House aides say Trump plans to increase engagement with lawmakers as the reconciliation process moves forward.
“Moving forward, we expect Congress to get their work done,” a White House official said.
Get the newest supply chain report news updates at The Supply Chain Report. Interested in international trade? Check out ADAMftd.com for free tools.
#TrumpAdministration #USForeignPolicy #TradeAgenda #LegislativePush #AmericaFirst #USPolitics #GlobalTradeStrategy
