Donald Trump doesn’t do subtlety. In his first month back in office, he has moved at breakneck speed to reshape America in his own image. According to a sharp critique from China’s Xinhua News Agency, Trump’s second term is already marked by mass deportations, sweeping federal government layoffs, aggressive tariff escalations, and a foreign policy approach that can best be described as “highly experimental.”
The numbers are staggering. Over 8,000 undocumented immigrants were arrested within the first two weeks, while 75,000 federal employees have taken a buyout to preempt widespread layoffs. Meanwhile, Elon Musk—yes, that Elon Musk—has been tasked with “restructuring” the U.S. government through an entity charmingly named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It’s hard to tell if this is governance or performance art.
Trade wars and Muskian efficiency
Trump’s economic policies, particularly his love affair with tariffs, have sent shockwaves through global markets. In just a few weeks, he has slapped new duties on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, raised tariffs on aluminum to 25%, and promised to extend similar measures to automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.
Predictably, this is already fueling inflation. The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) jumped to 3.0% in January, up from 2.7% in November. Economists fear that continued tariffs—combined with Trump’s hardline immigration policies—will further drive up prices. The Peterson Institute for International Economics projects inflation could hover between 3.0% and 3.8% for the next six months, far from the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Still, the White House insists this is all part of the master plan. “Extraordinary action to usher in a new Golden Age of America,” Trump’s team proclaimed. If “golden” refers to skyrocketing costs, they may be onto something.
Foreign policy on steroids
Internationally, Trump has wasted no time in reminding the world that American exceptionalism—at least in his hands—is boundless. In his first month, he has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement (again), pulled out of the World Health Organization, and suggested the U.S. “take back” the Panama Canal.
If that weren’t enough, he has also declared that Canada should become the 51st state and, for reasons unknown to sane observers, suggested that the U.S. could “own” Gaza. Arab leaders were unimpressed.
Europe, meanwhile, has been left scrambling after Trump’s high-level talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia—a meeting that notably excluded European representatives and Ukraine.
“Trump is operating as though the United States has special rights to decide the fate of others,” noted Richard Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations. Diplomatic restraint is evidently not on the agenda.
Divided America
Domestically, Trump remains a Rorschach test for American voters. Republican supporters see a leader delivering on his promises. “He’s keeping his word on immigration,” one voter in New Jersey told Xinhua. Another praised cuts to “frivolous foreign aid.”
Democrats, however, are sounding alarms. “The damage unleashed on civil servants and government agencies is immense and, perhaps, truly immeasurable,” said Greg Cusack, a former Iowa state representative.
Polling reflects the divide. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 41% of Americans believe Trump will improve the federal government, while 42% think he’ll make it worse. Among Republicans, 76% are optimistic; among Democrats, 78% expect disaster.
The Achilles’ heel?
Despite Trump’s aggressive economic maneuvers, inflation remains his administration’s biggest potential weak spot. His campaign was built on promises to lower prices, yet January’s CPI increase suggests otherwise.
So far, the White House response has been a mix of vague executive orders and social media finger-pointing. “BIDEN INFLATION UP!” Trump posted after the latest CPI data was released. This would be a clever deflection—if not for the inconvenient fact that he has been in office since January 20.
For now, his supporters are willing to blame Biden. But as inflation persists, even the most loyal MAGA economists will struggle to maintain that illusion.
Xinhua’s assessment of Trump’s return is as brutal as it is detailed. Whether his whirlwind first month signals a masterstroke or a meltdown remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: the world is watching.