Donald Trump, who is preparing for his second term in office, plans to kick off his administration with a series of decisive executive orders to quickly implement key initiatives. According to Reuters, more than 200 executive orders could be signed on the first day.
Key areas of the new decrees
Immigration
Trump will declare illegal immigration from Mexico a national emergency in order to increase security measures, build a border wall, and deploy additional military forces. He also plans to cancel the right to automatic citizenship for children born in the US to illegal immigrants and to ban access to asylum at the border with Mexico.
Energy
Trump will declare a national energy emergency to stimulate energy production. One of the executive orders will focus on the development of resources in Alaska, which is seen as a strategically important region. It is also planned to roll back environmental regulations of the Biden administration.
Climate and the environment
Trump is expected to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement again and to step up measures against the electric vehicle industry, including the introduction of import duties on battery materials.
Trade
The decrees provide for the revision of trade agreements with China, Canada and Mexico. Although customs tariffs will not be introduced immediately, they may appear after an analysis of economic relations.
Transgender rights and diversity programmes
Trump plans to restrict transgender women’s participation in women’s sports, reinstate the ban on transgender service in the armed forces, and end diversity programmes in the government.
Amnesties and the fight against cartels
The president intends to grant amnesty to those convicted of storming the Capitol on 6 January 2021. Another decree will aim to classify Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations.
These decisions demonstrate that Donald Trump is determined to change US domestic and foreign policy, focusing on his key election promises.
