What will change with Trump in the White House?
The US Congress has officially certified Donald Trump's victory in the November presidential election. The procedure went off smoothly in a joint session of both houses of Congress – in stark contrast to four years ago when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Trump will now take the oath of office on 20 January and, with a Republican majority in both chambers, push through his agenda.
A strong mandate
Trump will have the power to push through sweeping changes in US domestic and foreign policy, writes Jornal Económico:
“He has a strong mandate and will face fewer obstacles because he can count on the Republican majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives, even if he doesn't always need them. ... This means that all the threats, diatribes and stances he has been rehearsing in the last year could be put into practice, either in part or in full. Domestically, in sectors such as energy, financial investments, healthcare and immigration policy; and externally, in trade relations with China and Europe - where he could reform tariffs - environmental policy, defence or the handling of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
This time he is being taken seriously
The mood is very different today than it was before Trump's last inauguration in January 2017, Karar notes:
“Unlike in his first term, Trump, who uses every opportunity to express that he does not recognise the Western practices that have been established for centuries, is now being taken seriously. Mainstream leaders, who vied with each other in degrading and insulting Trump during his first term, are very cautious and even fearful this time round. It is considered certain that Trump will ensure that not only the government bureaucracy but the entire bureaucracy consists of people who are loyal to him. ... It is unclear to what extent mainstream politics and the media will be able to resist this wave.”
Dawn of a new era of protectionism
Corriere del Ticino anticipates obstacles to global trade:
“Trump has signalled his intention to raise tariffs for China in particular, but also for other regions of the world, including Europe. Many of Trump's supporters claim that this is just a negotiating tactic aimed at securing advantages and that it won't trigger a new tariff war. We will see whether this is the case or whether it leads to new and widespread trade disputes. In the meantime, it is worth remembering that Trump did indeed raise tariffs during his first presidency, which prompted retaliatory measures from the countries concerned and led to increased protectionism that slowed down global trade.”
Unbearable discourse of violence
Trump's populism could be imitated in other parts of the world, Público fears:
“The US seems to be on the cusp of a new era of political violence, and as the most powerful nation in the world the multiplier effect is worrying. ... Trump's apologetic attitude towards the 6 January perpetrators, or the way he reacted to the attack in New Orleans on New Year's Eve, falsely attributing it to an illegal immigrant, are typical of aggressive populism. ... We cannot be vigilant enough against the effects of this discourse that normalises violence and makes acceptable to many what should remain intolerable.”