🗓️ Week 3: The Price of Patriotism
*By Cyberluzie | Trumped Out: A Diary of American Madness
By his third week in office, Trump had already reshaped America’s trade posture. The strategy was blunt: punish imports, deregulate domestic industries, and declare economic independence. But markets don't respond to slogans—they respond to risk.
This instalment outlines the economic actions of Trump’s first 100 days: who paid, who gained, and which institutions had to bend.
🔹 TIMELINE OF POLICY MOVES
January 20, 2025
→ EO 14147: “America First Trade Policy”
Initiated review of all trade agreements
Mandated revisions to WTO commitments
Instructed the Commerce Dept. to prepare an emergency tariff schedule
January 31
→ EO: “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”
Ordered agencies to repeal two regulations for every one enacted
Suspended environmental, labour, and antitrust rules are deemed “market inhibitors”
April 2
→ EO 14257: “Liberation Day”
Imposed a universal 10% tariff on all imports
Raised tariffs on China to 145%, Canada and Mexico to 25%
Cited national security, trade imbalances, and “unfair ESG subsidies abroad”
April 15
→ EO: “Encouraging Domestic Drug Manufacturing”
Fast-tracked FDA approvals for U.S.-based facilities
Imposed new inspections on foreign active ingredient suppliers
April 30
→ Proposal: 100% tariff on foreign-made films
Justified as a “cultural sovereignty” measure
Prompted backlash from industry groups and foreign trade partners
🔹 ECONOMIC IMPACT
Markets
S&P 500 down 7.3% over the first 100 days
Dow Jones erased $2.9 trillion in value by April 25
Nasdaq posted its worst quarterly performance since 2008
Consumer Prices
Imported cars: average increase of $5,400 per vehicle
Electronics: average increase of 11%
Building materials: up 16%, affecting housing starts
Trade & Investment
U.S. exports to China fell 28% in Q1
Supply chain disruptions led to backlogs in semiconductors and pharmaceuticals
Venture capital activity dropped 41% compared to Q1 2024
🔹 INSTITUTIONAL IMPACT
Department of Commerce
Activated emergency tariff enforcement task force
Issued 18,000+ tariff exemption denials within 60 days
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Instructed to pause antitrust enforcement in industries “vital to national security”
Delayed review of several major mergers
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Shifted inspection focus to overseas factories
Directed to prioritise approvals for U.S. manufacturers under expedited rules
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ordered to suspend regulations that could “slow domestic factory growth”
Dozens of Clean Air Act enforcement actions paused
🔹 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Economic nationalism became federal doctrine within 90 days.
Consumer costs rose immediately across key sectors.
Markets responded to volatility, not patriotism.
Federal agencies were re-tasked to accelerate deregulation and industrial growth, fast.