On the 29th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump marks his "100 days in office." President Trump has carried out a variety of policies, signing 25 executive orders on his first day alone, but his approval rating stands at 39-42%, according to a survey conducted by major foreign media outlets, mainly due to fluctuating tariff policies. This is the lowest rating among presidents who have reached their 100-day milestone in the past 80 years. Faced with a crisis, what steps will President Trump take next?
White House Spokesperson Caroline Levitt said in a recent statement, "President Trump has fulfilled hundreds of promises during his first 100 days and has already achieved his two most important campaign goals: border security and ending inflation," adding that "the next 100 days will be filled with trade agreements, peace accords, and tax cuts. A greater future for America is coming soon." On the 28th, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) summarized the policies President Trump plans to unfold after reaching his 100-day mark.
▲Trade negotiations
After announcing mutual tariffs against various countries on the 2nd, President Trump stated that he would postpone them for 90 days within a week. The Trump administration plans to negotiate with all countries except China during the tariff suspension period. WSJ noted, "Trade will still be one of President Trump's key agendas," stating that negotiations will begin in the coming weeks and months, which will be a test of the Trump administration's patience aimed at restructuring the global trade order.
Additional trade policies are also expected to be announced. According to Trump advisors, the Trump administration is preparing measures to expand the mining of critical minerals necessary for industries such as defense and energy. This is aimed at reducing reliance on overseas suppliers, including China. President Trump has already signed an executive order allowing deep-sea mineral mining in international waters. Meanwhile, negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, which President Trump showed great interest in, are expected to fall lower on the priority list due to insufficient cooperation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
▲Additional executive orders
White House officials reported that President Trump is expected to sign various executive orders each week going forward. Specifically, measures targeting so-called "Sanctuary Cities" that are uncooperative with illegal immigrant crackdowns are expected to be included. It is also reported that President Trump plans to announce a scheme to provide cash to illegal residents who voluntarily depart the country. He stated that "the mass deportation of illegal immigrants will be the top priority" and has been conducting deportation operations since his inauguration on Jan. 20.
In addition, various types of executive orders are expected to be issued. Given that the American industrial sector has raised concerns over the Endangered Species Act, which has delayed infrastructure development, it is highly likely that executive orders will be issued to help companies circumvent the law. Trump administration advisors also indicated they are discussing new policies to increase domestic pharmaceutical production.
The federal government restructuring of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is also expected to continue. Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla, declared that he would reduce DOGE activities starting next month, but WSJ cited sources saying that DOGE's operations would continue. Reports suggest that the measures taken by DOGE to save the federal budget have had less impact than initially expected.
▲Midterm election support
President Trump, who recorded the lowest approval ratings, cannot help but pay attention to the results of the Republican Party in the midterm elections. The U.S. is set to hold midterm elections on Nov. 3, selecting 35 out of 100 Senate seats and all members of the House of Representatives. Currently, the Republican Party controls the Senate, but holds a narrow majority in the House. Traditionally, the ruling party tends to lose seats in midterm elections.
WSJ reported, "President Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Michigan on Tuesday to wrap up the achievements of the past 100 days and officially begin campaigning for the 2026 midterm elections." President Trump won in Michigan during last year’s presidential election, and riding that momentum, the Republican Party is aiming to reclaim the Democratic Senate seat in Michigan. President Trump has raised millions of dollars for his political action committee (PAC) and the Republican Party, and has started selecting and supporting candidates.
In this midterm election, President Trump’s economic policies are expected to be a significant variable. Within the Republican Party, there are concerns that if trade negotiations do not occur by next year or the markets do not stabilize, President Trump and the Republican Party will face significant political challenges. WSJ stated, "The Democrats are attempting to reorganize after the presidential election," noting that "the Democrats are focusing on the domestic backlash caused by Elon Musk, DOGE, and Trump’s trade war." Brendan Boyle, a Democratic representative from Pennsylvania, stated, "We anticipate greater chaos and confusion in the next 100 days."