Trump Inauguration highlights: President Trump eyes 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting next month

President Donald Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), criticizing the agency for mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and succumbing to political influence. Trump claimed the WHO imposed unfair financial burdens on the U.S. while favoring larger countries like China. The U.S. will cease financial contributions and exit the organization in 12 months. Experts warn this could jeopardize vital global health programs, including those addressing tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The U.S. will also halt negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty and reassess its global health strategy. Trump’s previous attempt to withdraw in 2020 was halted by President Biden.

President Trump has proposed removing birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. under certain conditions. Under this new policy, automatic citizenship would not be granted if the mother is undocumented and the father isn’t a U.S. citizen or green card holder, or if the mother is temporarily in the U.S. on a visa.

President Donald Trump unveiled a comprehensive plan to boost U.S. oil and gas production, declaring a national energy emergency, removing regulations, and pulling the U.S. from the Paris climate accord. This policy shift marks a stark contrast to former President Biden’s efforts to reduce fossil fuel reliance. Trump’s actions aim to lower consumer prices, enhance national security, and reinstate America as a manufacturing powerhouse by leveraging its abundant energy resources. However, his plan faces opposition from environmental groups. Trump also intends to reverse Biden’s electric vehicle and clean energy mandates, pushing for more fossil fuel development and reducing restrictions.

U.S. Treasury yields dropped on Tuesday after President Trump did not impose tariffs on his first day in office, signaling a gradual policy approach and easing inflation concerns. In his inauguration speech, Trump declared immigration and energy emergencies but briefly mentioned tariffs, only issuing a memo directing agencies to investigate trade deficits. This lack of concrete tariff details sparked a relief rally in currencies and stocks. However, Trump later suggested imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico by February 1, causing market uncertainty. Analysts warned that even gradual tariffs could stoke inflation and keep U.S. rates high longer.

Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating federal employees to resume full-time, in-person work. Some of his advisers, who are focused on reducing the federal workforce, believe that enforcing this office attendance requirement will lead to voluntary resignations.

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump revoked sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on Israeli settler groups accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The White House announced Trump’s reversal of Executive Order 14115, which targeted individuals undermining peace in the region. Biden’s sanctions froze assets and restricted dealings with settlers, citing concerns over escalating violence and land seizures. Trump’s decision marks a shift from Biden’s policies, reflecting his earlier stance that Israeli settlements are not illegal. Israeli settler leaders had anticipated the sanctions’ removal if Trump returned to office.

Shortly after being sworn in as the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump announced that the United States will officially recognize only two genders—male and female. He pledged to create a “merit-based” and “colorblind society,” signaling a shift in government policies on gender and diversity, particularly targeting DEI programs. Trump also declared a national emergency at the southern border, vowing to halt illegal entry and deport millions of criminal aliens. He promised to tackle inflation by declaring a national energy emergency and expanding domestic oil drilling, while also criticizing the response to recent wildfires in Los Angeles.

Also read: Trump signs first round of key executive orders within hours of taking oath

U.S. President Donald Trump stated, “If China doesn’t approve the U.S. TikTok deal, we could impose tariffs on them. Remember, China imposes tariffs on us, but we charge them very little—except for what I implemented. I imposed significant tariffs, bringing in hundreds of billions of dollars. Before my presidency, China never contributed a dime to the U.S.; they took advantage of us without paying anything. If we negotiate a favourable TikTok deal and China refuses to approve it, I believe they would eventually agree because we could impose tariffs. I’m not saying I would, but it’s certainly an option.”

“We will work to resolve it as quickly as we can. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia would never have begun if I had been President,” said U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his plans to end the war.

Republican U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin but added that a date for the meeting had not been set. Trump, who took office on Monday, also said he will try to end the Russia-Ukraine war as quickly as possible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States. In a video call with Russia’s Security Council, Putin expressed hope for improved U.S.-Russia relations under Trump’s leadership. He emphasized Moscow’s openness to restoring direct communication channels that were previously halted by the outgoing administration.

Fresh off President Donald Trump‘s inauguration, the Senate on Monday passed the Laken Riley Act, a Bill requiring federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes. This marks the first measure Trump is expected to sign into law, reinforcing his commitment to a broad crackdown on illegal immigration.

Japan’s Nikkei share average climbed on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from imposing new tariffs, easing concerns for Japanese exporters. By 0002 GMT, the Nikkei gained 0.8% to 39,198.72, while the broader Topix rose 0.61% to 2,727.63. Tokyo Electron surged 1.84%, leading the gains, while Fast Retailing increased 0.82%. Trump’s inauguration speech focused on immigration and energy policies, with only brief mention of tariffs. Market attention now shifts to the Bank of Japan’s policy decision on Friday, where an expected interest rate hike could push borrowing costs to levels unseen since the 2008 financial crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump revoked a 2023 executive order signed by Joe Biden that sought to reduce the risks that artificial intelligence poses to consumers, workers and national security.

Biden’s order required developers of AI systems that pose risks to U.S. national security, the economy, public health or safety to share the results of safety tests with the U.S. government, in line with the Defense Production Act, before they were released to the public.

The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump‘s secretary of state.The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing.Rubio became the first of Trump’s cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term.

The US markets were shut on account of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is the fourth time in the history that Inauguration Day has overlapped with Martin Luther King Jr Day.

The US Stick Futures indicate a higher opening on Tuesday. However, the dollar had a rough run and slipped slower.

Donald Trump, sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, 2025, declared it “Liberation Day” for America, vowing to rescue the nation from years of decline and betrayal. In his half-hour inaugural address at the U.S. Capitol, he emphasized a tough stance on illegal immigration and portrayed himself as a divinely chosen figure to restore the country’s greatness.

Trump, 78, framed his return to power as a triumphant comeback after enduring political battles, impeachment, assassination attempts, and criminal charges related to the 2020 election. He took the oath of office as the first president in over a century to reclaim the White House after losing a term, drawing comparisons to his initial inauguration in 2017, where he spoke of “American carnage.”

In a statement that echoed his earlier rhetoric, Trump proclaimed, “I was saved by God to make America great again,” reflecting on the assassination attempt that narrowly spared his life.

Trump’s historic second term marks him as the first felon to assume the presidency, following a criminal conviction in a New York trial involving hush money payments.

The dollar continued its decline while crude oil prices limited their losses following U.S. President Donald Trump‘s comments on Monday about implementing tariffs and taxes to benefit American citizens, overhauling the trade system, and declaring a national energy emergency.

COMMENTS:

Jamie Cox, Managing Partner, Harris Financial Group:
“Energy prices are set to drop significantly, leading to savings for consumers, and inflation data in six to seven months should show marked improvement.”

Nigel Green, CEO, Devere Group:
“The energy sector will be the immediate beneficiary of this broad policy shift. Companies in oil and gas exploration, extraction, and infrastructure stand to benefit as regulatory hurdles are removed and investment in domestic production rises. Shares of U.S. energy companies, including mid-cap firms, could experience significant growth due to increased output and profitability. Global oil prices, already volatile due to geopolitical factors, may face substantial fluctuations.”

Gabriela Siller Pagaza, Director for Economic Analysis, Grupo Financiero Base:
“At the start of Trump’s speech, the Mexican peso was at 20.5751 per dollar. By the end of his address, it appreciated to 20.5289, indicating a 0.22% gain of 4.6 cents. There were no new announcements regarding tariffs.”

Marc Chandler, Chief Market Strategist, Bannockburn Global Forex, New York:
“Foreign currencies are seeing a relief rally at the moment.
While Trump did not offer specifics, it’s clear from his comments about increasing U.S. auto manufacturing that tariffs are on the horizon. Whether they come on Day 1, Day 5, or Day 10, their impact will be felt.
The notion that Trump could generate $2 trillion from tariffs seems unrealistic, especially considering that the U.S. only imports $1 trillion in goods. This raises questions about the feasibility of such a figure and the timeline involved.”

As President Trump’s term begins, the US authorities have announced the immediate shutdown of the CBP One app, which the Biden administration had introduced to manage immigration appointments at the US-Mexico border. This decision has resulted in the cancellation of all scheduled appointments, leaving many migrants and asylum seekers, who had already spent months waiting for entry hearings, in distress.

Videos circulating on social media depict migrants visibly distraught upon learning that their long-awaited appointments were cancelled. Andrea Flores, a former official in the Obama administration, criticized the move as not only unjust to those who had followed the rules but also a destabilizing step for border management.

The U.S. president highlighted that as of yesterday, Israeli captives held in Gaza began to be released as part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending Israel’s bombardment of the Palestinian enclave.

“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier; that’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier,” Trump said during his inaugural address.

Trump praised the efforts of his team in securing the Gaza ceasefire, while critics argued that outgoing President Biden failed to exert enough pressure on the Israeli government to halt the conflict.

The U.S. president reiterated his intention to follow through on his threat to reclaim control of the Panama Canal.

“American ships are being heavily overcharged and are not being treated fairly in any way, shape, or form,” Trump stated.

The helicopter will transport Joe Biden to Joint Base Andrews, located nearby. From there, he will board a flight bound for California.

Reports indicate that Biden has been in a somber mood recently, feeling he could have defeated Donald Trump in November’s election.

Though he won’t disappear from the political scene, his influence within the Democratic Party is expected to wane. With Trump’s mandatory departure in four years, attention will turn to new leadership in the White House.

Biden will witness as Trump uses executive orders and congressional actions to reverse much of his achievements from the past four years.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed confidence that U.S. cities, states, and businesses will continue to lead on environmental issues, despite President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, according to a UN spokesperson.

“I will begin immediately to overhaul our trade system to safeguard American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to benefit other nations, we will impose tariffs on foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”

“We are establishing the External Revenue Service to manage tariffs, duties, and revenue.”

In Conclusion

“Many doubted my ability to make a political comeback, but as you see today, here I am. The American people have spoken.”

“In America, the impossible is what we do best.”

“We stand on the brink of the greatest four years in American history.”

“Our power will end wars and bring unity to a world torn by anger, violence, and unpredictability. America will regain respect and admiration, including from people of faith and goodwill. We will prosper, be proud, strong, and achieve victories like never before.”

“We will stand tall, live with pride, dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way. Because we are Americans. The future is ours, and our golden age begins now.”

Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey:
“Since Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed his intent to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Turkey will take all necessary steps in this regard. We will prioritize this issue in our discussions with Mr. Trump and take action accordingly. I hope his second term brings progress for all humanity.”

Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister:
“Congratulations, President Trump. Canada and the U.S. share the world’s most successful economic partnership, and I look forward to working together again to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations.”

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister:
“For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation, and enduring partnership. Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked for mutual security and prosperity. I am confident that President Trump’s deep affection for the United Kingdom will continue.”

Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President:
“Best wishes to President @realDonaldTrump as he begins his second term. The EU looks forward to working closely with him to address global challenges. Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen our shared security. This is the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership.”

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General:
“With President Trump back in office, we will turbo-charge defense spending and production. My warm congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration, and to @JDVance as Vice President. Together, we can achieve peace through strength—through @NATO.”

Charles, King of the United Kingdom:
The King sent a personal message of congratulations to President Trump, emphasizing the enduring special relationship between the UK and the U.S., as noted by Buckingham Palace.

Never again will the vast power of the state be wielded to target political opponents – a situation I am all too familiar with, said the U.S. president.

Trump, who faced four criminal cases prior to his November election victory, has consistently accused President Biden and the Democrats of attempting to disrupt his re-election efforts.

He has claimed, without offering evidence, that he was the victim of a politically motivated witch hunt.

“Under my leadership, we will restore fair, equal, and impartial justice, adhering strictly to the constitutional rule of law,” Trump affirmed.

The president wasted no time in criticizing the outgoing Biden administration, claiming the U.S. government has failed to protect Americans and safeguard national interests.

“We have a public health system that collapses in times of crisis,” he stated. “Our education system instills shame in our children, teaching them to despise the country that we try so hard to nurture and love.”

He vowed, “All of this will change starting today—and it will change swiftly.”

With cheers from the audience, Trump declared, “From this moment forward, America’s decline is over.”

“Congratulations, my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump, on your historic inauguration as the 47th President of the United States! I look forward to working closely together once again to benefit both our countries and shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a successful term ahead!” – Narendra Modi

President Joe Biden issued pardons for his siblings and their spouses on Monday, citing relentless partisan attacks aimed at harming him. Biden expressed concern that these attacks would continue, pointing to the politically motivated nature of the attacks against his family.

The pardons included his brother James and his wife, Sara; his sister Valerie and her husband, John Owens; and his brother Francis. Biden emphasized that the pardons should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt or acknowledgment of any wrongdoing.

The pardons were issued just before Biden left office, alongside a series of pardons and commutations for his aides and allies who had been targeted during the Trump administration. This move followed Biden’s previous pardon of his son, Hunter, for tax and gun crimes.