Immigration
Native Americans represent only 2% of the U.S. population, with the rest of the population having an immigration story. Trump himself has German ancestry on his father’s side, Melania is from Slovenia, Vice President JD Vance has Scots-Irish roots, and his wife is of Indian origin. America has always been a “melting pot,” attracting talent from around the world. The American dream has allowed for success stories like that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian bodybuilder who became a leading actor and later California governor. What’s Changed?
- Targeting Immigrants: Trump and his supporters have sought to slam the door on both legal and illegal immigration, blaming immigration for job losses, low wages, and crime, although studies show these claims are largely unfounded.
- Immigration Enforcement: Deportation flights started soon after Trump’s inauguration, with some of these flights landing in Amritsar, India. Undocumented immigrants have even been sent to Guantanamo Bay, the notorious military base.
- Uncertainty for Green Card and H-1B Visa Holders: Green Card holders and those on H-1B visas are now in an uncertain position. Even tourists have found themselves subjected to increased scrutiny and harassment.
- Birthright Citizenship under Attack: Trump’s administration has launched a significant assault on birthright citizenship, arguing that anyone born in the U.S. should not automatically be granted citizenship. This issue has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Why It Matters
- Impact on Skilled Workers: The U.S. is likely to become a less attractive destination for highly qualified workers, especially in fields like software and AI. U.S. firms may be forced to offshore more work, resulting in fewer job opportunities domestically.
- Labor Shortages and Economic Impact: A lack of immigrants will likely cause a labor shortage, which will lead to higher wages and rising prices. This situation could eventually trigger a recession due to a decrease in demand for goods and services.
Consumerism
The U.S. has long been the center of global consumerism, with low import tariffs facilitating access to inexpensive goods. For example, America’s average import tariff in 2022 was just 1.5%, far lower than the tariffs in other major economies like India (11.5%) and China (3%). This low-cost environment has helped the U.S. maintain its status as the largest consumer market in the world.
What’s Changed?
- Trump’s Tariff Policies: Trump has introduced surprise tariffs, which threaten to increase the prices of imported goods in the U.S. Tariffs on sectors like cars and steel have been announced, with car prices projected to rise by at least $4,000.
- Reciprocal Tariffs: Starting on April 2, the U.S. will implement “reciprocal tariffs,” which apply the same import duties to goods from countries that impose tariffs on U.S. exports. This could further drive up prices on imported goods, impacting U.S. consumers and domestic substitutes.
Why It Matters
- Disruption of Global Trade: Surprise tariffs disrupt global trade, which normally operates smoothly, leading to market instability. This uncertainty has already roiled stock markets.
- Short-Term Consumer Impact: In the short term, U.S. consumers will face higher prices on many goods, and this could also reduce consumer demand, potentially sparking a recession.
- Long-Term Manufacturing Shift: While Trump hopes tariffs will encourage manufacturers to set up shop in the U.S., this transition could take years, and competing with China on costs remains a difficult challenge.
Science
The U.S. has long been a global leader in scientific research, technological progress, and education, driving innovation and economic growth. The country’s scientific leadership has helped advance prosperity and social mobility, and its focus on STEM education has been a hallmark of its success. What’s Changed?
- Cuts to Science Funding: Trump’s executive order halting federal funding to review diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices has impacted hiring for scientific research positions, hindering efforts to recruit the best minds in science.
- Disbanding Scientific Review Bodies: Several independent scientific review boards have been disbanded under Trump’s administration, reducing the effectiveness of scientific oversight.
- EPA Research Office Cut: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eliminate its scientific research office and fire over 1,000 employees who provide essential scientific foundations for environmental policies.
- H-1B Visa Crackdown: Trump’s administration is re-evaluating all visa programs, which directly impacts foreign STEM workers coming to the U.S. for research and innovation.
- Measles Outbreaks: Despite the growing number of measles cases across 12 states, including fatalities, the Trump administration has remained largely unbothered by these public health issues.
- NASA Cuts: NASA’s science budget is expected to be halved in fiscal year 2026. The agency has already closed its chief scientist office and laid off 23 employees, signaling a reduction in its scientific focus.
Why It Matters
- Slowdown in Scientific Innovation: The disbanding of review boards, cuts to research funding, and the EPA’s diminished role will slow scientific progress, especially in areas critical to national security and public health, such as cybersecurity and environmental research.
- Public Health Impact: A growing rejection of vaccinations in some communities, linked to the administration’s stance on science, could lead to further public health crises.
- Global Competitiveness at Risk: The reduced investment in science and technology could undermine U.S. global leadership, impacting its ability to compete on the world stage.
Environment
Since the 1970s, the U.S. has been a global leader in environmental protection, pioneering efforts like the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 and playing a critical role in international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
What’s Changed?
- Exit from the Paris Agreement: Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement marked a major retreat from global climate cooperation, undermining international efforts to tackle climate change.
- Dismantling Pollution Regulations: The EPA has rolled back numerous pollution regulations and is considering revising pollution standards for cars and trucks. The agency also plans to remove pollution limits on power plants, further exacerbating environmental degradation.
- Drilling on Public Lands: Under Trump’s “National Energy Emergency,” more drilling will occur on public lands, damaging ecosystems and accelerating climate change.
- Environmental Protection Cuts: Trump’s administration has gutted agencies responsible for environmental protection, including the disbandment of enforcement teams that track violations. The Great Lakes, which supply drinking water to over 40 million people, are at risk due to these cuts.
Why It Matters
- Environmental Decline: The U.S. could lose the hard-won progress it made in reducing pollution and protecting its natural resources, resulting in deteriorating air quality, polluted rivers, and contaminated drinking water.
- Health and Climate Crisis: This environmental retreat will worsen climate-related challenges, such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and other extreme weather events that impact public health, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Universities
Access to higher education has been a cornerstone of American opportunity, with initiatives like the GI Bill helping veterans attend college after WWII and providing upward mobility for working-class students.
What’s Changed?
- Criticism of Universities: Figures like Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Elon Musk have criticized universities, arguing that too many people accumulate large amounts of debt without acquiring valuable skills. Vance has even called universities “the enemy.”
- Cuts to University Funding: Federal funding for research and university programs has been slashed, including cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Universities are now facing hiring freezes, canceled contracts, and closures of important research labs. For example, the University of Pennsylvania is reducing medical school graduate admissions by 35%.
- Impact on Students: Students are being impacted by funding cuts and unfulfilled promises of federal support, leading to reduced scholarships and opportunities.
Why It Matters
- Research and Education Decline: The cuts to research and university programs will reduce America’s ability to innovate, making it harder to maintain leadership in fields like medical research and technology.
- Long-Term Impact on Global Leadership: If U.S. universities lose their prominence in research and innovation, it will weaken America’s ability to lead globally. Additionally, reducing access to higher education could undermine social mobility and economic prosperity.
Free Speech
The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech and a free press, which has been essential to American democracy and its global reputation as a bastion of freedom.
What’s Changed?
- Threats to Free Expression: Trump’s administration has sought to limit free speech and protest rights. Universities now face the threat of losing federal funding if they allow “illegal protests,” and students who participate in protests could face permanent expulsion or arrest.
- Press Freedom Attacks: News organizations that criticize the administration, such as the Associated Press, have been barred from events. The Trump administration has also imposed strict language policies, particularly around “gender ideology,” and even removed books from school libraries for review.
Why It Matters
- Undermining Democracy: If free speech and a free press are undermined, the foundations of American democracy will be at risk. Without the ability to protest or challenge power, the nation will face a loss of its democratic ideals.
- Global Repercussions: The weakening of free speech will damage America’s global image as a champion of human rights and democracy.
(With TOI inputs)