Washington, D.C., January 22, 2025 – The Europe Today: U.S. President Donald Trump marked the first day of his second term with a flurry of executive actions, high-profile announcements, and sharp rhetoric on international trade, foreign policy, and technology.
During his first White House press conference on Tuesday evening, Trump unveiled plans to impose tariffs on the European Union and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods starting February 1. The move, he said, is aimed at addressing trade imbalances and combating the flow of fentanyl from China to North America.
“The European Union is very, very bad to us,” Trump declared, reiterating his commitment to securing fair trade deals. He noted that tariffs are a critical tool for achieving trade equity, adding that his administration had imposed significant tariffs on China during his first term.
On foreign policy, Trump addressed the war in Ukraine, suggesting further sanctions against Russia unless President Vladimir Putin engages in peace talks.
“The war should have never started,” Trump stated. “If I were president, it wouldn’t have happened.”
He also criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of the Gaza crisis, taking credit for brokering a truce and facilitating a hostage exchange.
“Biden couldn’t get it done,” Trump said. “If I weren’t here, they wouldn’t be back ever.”
Tech and AI Investments
Trump announced a landmark $500 billion initiative, “Stargate,” to position the U.S. as a global leader in artificial intelligence. The project, backed by SoftBank, Oracle, and OpenAI, aims to revolutionize AI infrastructure in the country.
“This is a transformative investment in America’s future,” Trump said, flanked by Masayoshi Son of SoftBank, Sam Altman of OpenAI, and Larry Ellison of Oracle.
He also expressed openness to Elon Musk acquiring TikTok, proposing a unique partnership in which the U.S. would hold a 50% stake in the platform.
Bilateral Partnerships and Executive Orders
In addition to these initiatives, Trump signed a series of executive orders, including pardons for supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. He also hinted at upcoming visits to the Middle East but did not commit to a timeline.
Trump’s actions and declarations underscore his intention to pursue an aggressive agenda aimed at reshaping U.S. domestic and foreign policy, with significant implications for global trade, technology, and international relations.
