Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States for a second term, outlining an ambitious agenda with significant changes across several key areas:
Trump has major changes planned, with the Republican proposing a broad agenda that blends traditional U.S. conservative approaches in economics with a populist tilt in foreign policy. These are his main proposals:
Immigration
Trump promises to implement the “largest mass deportation program” in U.S. history. His plans include:
- Using the National Guard and empowering local law enforcement to arrest undocumented immigrants.
- Implementing an “ideological screening” for visa applicants.
- Eliminating birthright citizenship.
- Limiting migrant entry on public health grounds.
- Banning entry for citizens from certain Muslim-majority countries.
Evan Vucci/AP Photo
Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president could have significant implications for abortion rights in the country:
Abortion Stance
- Trump boasts of enabling the overturning of the federal abortion rights guarantee in 2022, thanks to his nomination of three conservative Supreme Court justices during his first term.
- However, during the campaign, Trump was cautious on the issue, as public opinion largely supports abortion rights.
- Trump has insisted that states should decide on abortion.
- Recently, Trump stated he would veto a federal abortion ban if Congress passed one.
Potential Consequences of His Election
- Could lead to further attacks on abortion rights, which have already dramatically rolled back in several states since the 2022 ruling.
- A new Trump administration could use federal power to restrict abortion access, for example:
- Limiting access to the abortion pill.
- Reviving old laws like the “Comstock Act” to ban mailing abortion-related materials.
- Trump could continue reshaping the Supreme Court to make it more conservative, indirectly influencing abortion rights.
Current Situation in the States
- Several states held referendums on abortion alongside the presidential election:
- Arizona, Missouri, and New York approved amendments to restore abortion rights up to fetal viability.
- Florida rejected a similar amendment by a narrow margin.
- Currently, 25 million women live in states with abortion restrictions.
In summary, while Trump has stated he would not support a federal abortion ban, his election could lead to new restrictions at the state and federal levels, depending on his administration’s actions and Supreme Court appointments.
Taxes and Debt
Trump plans to extend the corporate tax cuts he implemented during his first term and proposes reducing the tax rate from 21% to 15% for companies that manufacture all their products in the U.S. Additionally, he promises to eliminate taxes on overtime and tips.
However, this policy would increase the federal debt by $5.8 trillion over the next decade, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model. Currently, the U.S. national debt stands at $35 trillion.
Economy and Trade
- Impose tariffs of up to 20% on all imported products, and 60% on Chinese products.
- Threaten tariffs of up to 200% on cars from Mexico.
- Extend corporate tax cuts and reduce the tax rate to 15% for companies that manufacture all their products in the U.S.
- Eliminate taxes on overtime and tips.
Foreign Policy
Trump adopts an isolationist stance summarized as “Peace through strength.” This includes:
- Criticizing NATO.
- Praising authoritarian leaders like Viktor Orbán and Vladimir Putin.
- Promising to quickly resolve conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, without specifying how.
Environment and Energy
- Eliminate subsidies for electric vehicles.
- Increase oil and natural gas production.
- Withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Health and Education
- Dismantle Barack Obama’s healthcare reform.
- Possibly eliminate the federal Department of Education.
- Use federal funds to pressure schools into adopting merit pay for teachers and eliminating diversity programs.
- Propose a free, “strictly apolitical” online “American Academy.”
LGBTQ+ Rights
Trump has advocated for limiting emphasis on diversity and legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Regarding transgender rights, he has promised to ban “boys in girls’ sports,” rhetoric that has gained him support. However, his proposals go beyond symbolic measures, as he has pledged to ask Congress to recognize only two genders (male and female) at birth, which would undermine rights for that community and limit legal recognition of nonbinary gender identities.
These proposals represent a significant shift in many policy areas, reflecting a mix of traditional conservatism and populism that has defined Trump’s platform.
Image: EFE
