Comprehensive Analysis of Donald Trump’s Policies and Impacts (2017-2025)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Economic Policies

3. Immigration Policies

4. Foreign Policy

5. Environmental Policies

6. Social Policies

7. Impact on Demographics

8. Conclusion

Introduction

This analysis covers Donald Trump’s policies and their impacts from his first term (2017-2021) and the beginning of his second term (2025), based on documented policy changes and their effects on various sectors of American society and the economy.

Economic Policies

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)

• Date: December 22, 2017

• Key Points:

  • Reduced corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%

  • Cut individual tax rates for most brackets

  • Doubled the standard deduction

  • Capped state and local tax deductions at $10,000

• Impacts:

  • Positive: In the first two years, real wages grew nearly 5%, the fastest growth in 20 years

  • Real median household income increased by $5,000

  • Negative: Increased the federal deficit, with the debt-to-GDP ratio rising from 105% at the end of 2016 to 126% at the end of 2020

Trade Policies

• USMCA: Replaced NAFTA on July 1, 2020

• China Trade War: Began in 2018 with tariffs on Chinese goods

• 2025 Tariffs: Implemented 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, 20% on Chinese goods

• Impacts:

  • Mixed results in manufacturing job growth: 414,000 manufacturing jobs added from January 2017 to March 2020

  • Regional variations in manufacturing job growth across the U.S.

  • Concerns about inflation due to tariffs

Immigration Policies

Border Wall and Enforcement

• Executive Order: January 25, 2017 (First Term)

• Progress: By January 2021, about 452 miles of wall had been constructed or replaced

• 2025 Actions:

  • Reinstated national emergency at the southern border

  • Increased deportation authorities for various agencies

  • Established daily deportation quotas for ICE offices

DACA and Birthright Citizenship

• DACA Termination Attempt: September 5, 2017 (Blocked by federal courts)

• Birthright Citizenship Order: January 2025 (Challenged in court)

Travel Bans and Restrictions

• First Version: January 27, 2017 (Executive Order 13769)

• Final Version: September 24, 2017 (Presidential Proclamation 9645)

Impacts

• Significant decrease in illegal border crossings reported in early 2025

• Increased uncertainty for immigrant communities

• Legal challenges to many immigration policies

Foreign Policy

North Korea Diplomacy

• Singapore Summit (June 12, 2018)

• Hanoi Summit (February 27-28, 2019)

• DMZ Meeting (June 30, 2019)

Middle East

• Jerusalem Recognition: December 6, 2017 (Recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital)

• Iran Nuclear Deal Withdrawal: May 8, 2018

NATO and Allies

• Demanded increased defense spending from NATO allies

• Strained relationships with traditional U.S. allies

2025 Actions

• Withdrew from Paris Climate Agreement (again)

• Shifted stance on Ukraine conflict, proposing conditional support

Environmental Policies

First Term

• Clean Power Plan Repeal: Proposed October 10, 2017, Finalized June 19, 2019

• Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines Approval: January 24, 2017

• Endangered Species Act Modifications: Finalized August 12, 2019

Second Term

• Renewed focus on deregulation

• Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement

Social Policies

LGBTQ+ Rights

• Proposed limiting gender-affirming care and federal recognition of gender identity

• Executive order stating “only two genders” policy for federal government

Education

• Proposed cutting federal funding for schools promoting certain curricula

Second Amendment

• Executive Order on February 7, 2025, to review and protect Second Amendment rights

Impact on Demographics

Job Types

• Manufacturing: Modest growth overall, with regional variations

• Service Industry: Benefited from economic growth pre-pandemic, severely impacted by COVID-19

Age Groups

• Younger Workers: Benefited from low unemployment rates pre-pandemic

• Older Workers: Potential increase in retirement savings due to tax cuts and stock market performance

Racial Backgrounds

• Black and Hispanic Communities: Saw historically low unemployment rates pre-pandemic

• Immigrant Communities: Faced increased uncertainty due to restrictive policies

Financial Standings

• High-Income Earners: Significant benefits from tax cuts

• Middle-Class: Modest tax reductions and wage growth

• Low-Income: Experienced reduced poverty rates, but still faced economic challenges

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s policies from 2017 to 2025 have had far-reaching impacts on the American economy, society, and international relations. While some policies led to economic growth and job creation, others have been controversial and faced legal challenges. The long-term effects of many of these policies, particularly on immigration, the environment, and international relations, continue to shape the American political and social landscape. As of March 2025, the full implications of policies implemented in Trump’s second term are still unfolding, with ongoing debates about their effectiveness and consequences for various demographic groups.