After being president between 2016 and 2020, Republican candidate Donald Trump could make his comeback to the White House. But actually, what would Donald Trump’s United States look like if elected? Overview.
A few hours before the American presidential election, Marianne scrutinizes the program of the two candidates for the supreme office, the Democrat Kamala Harris and the Republican Donald Trump. In this article, let’s look at the measures promoted by the second.
Economy
The challenge will be great for Donald Trump, if he were to be elected on November 5. His predecessor, Joe Biden, left him with a record – particularly in terms of inflation – which was highly criticized by a large part of Americans. The one who promised to end inflation and make America affordable again » would put back at the heart of its policy its famous motto “ America first “. For this, it counts:
- Increase customs duties on imports to 10% and increase those from China to 60%. Already strong, strategic competition with the second world power could increase.
- Grant broad tax credits and detax tips.
- Lower corporate taxes from 35% to 20 or 15% to favor industry on American soil. It also aims to relocate certain industries and force companies to no longer outsource their jobs if they want to cooperate with the federal government.
- In addition to these measures, according to him, the main way to reduce inflation and make savings of all kinds is to drastically reduce immigration, which he holds responsible – among other things – for the increase in the cost of housing, that of education and that of health.
READ ALSO: By the way, what is Kamala Harris’ program?
Immigration
Immigration was precisely the key theme of Donald Trump’s campaign and probably one of those where he will be most awaited by his supporters.
- The one who promised to “secure the border” should allocate more resources to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the border control police agency.
- Big measure of his first term: Donald Trump wants to resume and complete the construction of the wall that separates the United States from Mexico.
- Millions of undocumented immigrants should be removed from the country as he pledged to lead “the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States” based in particular on “advanced technologies to monitor and secure the border”.
- The very controversial decree of “ Muslim tires » (2017) which prohibited access to American territory for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries could see the light of day again.
International defense
When it comes to foreign policy, Donald Trump promised that if elected, he would implement an isolationist policy. If he is convinced to resolve the war in Ukraine “ in 24 hours “, he also affirmed his desire to disengage from the various ongoing conflicts.
- Israel/Gaza : A great supporter of the Jewish state, formerly close to Netanyahu (until the latter congratulated Joe Biden on his election in 2020), Donald Trump had transferred the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, during his first term. He himself had defined himself as “ the best friend Israel ever had “. Support for Israel and its “ right to defend oneself” should be even more assertive, without calling into question arms deliveries in particular.
- Ukraine: If he had announced that he would be able to resolve the conflict by “ 24 hours » and had stated that he wanted “ restore peace in Europe », without giving further details, Trump’s return to power is feared by kyiv which fears seeing its aid drop. On this subject, however, he will not have a free hand and will have to deal with Congress.
- Likewise, his ambiguous comments on NATO and the EU suggest that transatlantic relations will not be his priority. Trump has been very critical of NATO, which he has threatened to leave several times if member states do not make financial contributions. We’ll see if he carries out his threats, but one thing is certain: Europe should count less and less in Donald Trump’s geopolitical equation.
- With Donald Trump returning to the White House, relations between the United States and Iran could deteriorate. The president could strengthen the already numerous economic sanctions against Tehran and compromise any new nuclear agreement.
READ ALSO: Obscene Trump, Trump at McDonald’s, Trump garbage collector… the list of absurdities of the Republican candidate
Environment
A subject almost absent during the campaign, relatively little mentioned in the candidate’s program… Expectations on the environmental issue are nevertheless high. Note, however, that Donald Trump has never distinguished himself as a defender of the ecological cause. Therefore, the measures taken by the new tenant of the White House could prove devastating for the fight against global warming.
- As in 2016, in the event of victory, Trump should quickly exit the Paris agreement. He left it in his first election before Joe Biden re-entered the agreement in 2020.
- He wants to intensify drilling in the Arctic, to increase the country’s oil stocks, as he had already started to do at the end of his mandate.
- Resolutely opposed to the development of the electric fleet, Trump should question the directives taken in favor of electric vehicles by Joe Biden. Since Elon Musk, the boss of Tesla, actively joined his campaign, Trump has slightly changed his mind so as not to offend his new friend. Now he declares that he “ likes electric vehicles, but that it is a “submarket” who will not be able to grow ».
- It plans to lift restrictions on oil, coal and gas production. He intends to continue the policy put in place in 2016 by favoring fossil fuels, which he believes are essential to the energy independence of the United States. The slogan “ drill, baby, drill » (fore, baby, fore) is likely to make a comeback.
Health
- On this subject, which he knows is dear to many Americans, Donald Trump should not touch the resources allocated to Medicaid (health insurance which covers the medical costs of the most vulnerable people).
- He wants to reduce health costs by promoting competition in the pharmaceutical market to lower prices.
READ ALSO: Ludivine Gilli: “The Trump electorate believes that if they dare to say things, it must be the truth”
Individual rights and freedoms
- Donald Trump promised to defend religious freedom (meaning Christian more than others).
- Considering transgender women to be “men,” he wants to ban them from participating in women’s sports.
- By appointing three conservative justices to the Supreme Court during his first term, Trump contributed significantly to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and weakened, in fact, the right to abortion. During the campaign, he took an unclear stance on the subject, saying there was no need to “go further” at the federal level, and leaving the decision up to each state. One thing is certain, Trump’s potential return to power is not good news for women.
- A fervent defender of the Second Amendment which authorizes American citizens to own firearms, Trump should reverse the measures taken by Biden which strengthened their control and not toughen the legislation in this area.
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