Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Trump's First Year: Global Shifts, Tariffs, and Immigration Policies
President Donald Trump had a very busy first year back in the White House.
He made big changes to immigration rules, like stopping the 'catch-and-release' policy and building more of the border wall.
He also made it harder for people to come to the US by setting very low limits on refugees and making visa applications stricter.
On energy, he pulled the US out of important climate agreements and made it easier for companies to drill for oil and gas.
He also put high taxes on imports from other countries, which some people think will hurt the US economy.
In foreign policy, he pushed NATO countries to spend more on defence, intervened in Venezuela, pressured Iran, and proposed a peace plan for Ukraine.
Overall, it's been a year of big, sometimes controversial, changes.
Trump issued 225 executive orders in his first year, the highest since FDR in 1933.
The administration ended 'catch-and-release' and built 1,954 miles of border wall.
Over 622,000 deportations occurred in 2025, with 1.9 million self-deportations due to restrictive policies.
Trump withdrew the US from the Paris Climate Agreement and UNFCCC, and rolled back environmental regulations.
The administration implemented a 10% baseline global tariff, with higher rates for specific countries, and cut the corporate tax rate to 15%.
NATO allies agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, up from 2%.
The US Refugee Admissions Program was suspended, with a historic low ceiling of 7,500 admissions for FY2026.
Trump executed Operation Absolute Resolve, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and imposing a naval blockade.
The administration reimposed pressure on Iran, aiming to drive Iranian oil exports to zero and supporting anti-government protesters.
Trump proposed a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, including a permanent ban on Ukraine joining NATO and recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and his administration
- What
- Implementation of aggressive policies on immigration, tariffs, military interventions, and international disengagement
- When
- From January 20, 2025, to January 20, 2026
- Where
- United States and globally
- Why
- To fulfill campaign promises and establish an 'America First' agenda
- Executive Orders Issued
- 225
- Border Wall Construction
- 1,954 miles
- Deportations in 2025
- 622,000
- Global Tariff Baseline
- 10%
- Corporate Tax Rate
- 15%
- Federal Employees Reduced
- 300,000
- Refugee Admissions Ceiling (FY2026)
- 7,500
- NATO Defence Spending Target (by 2035)
- 5% of GDP
- Average Effective Tariff Rate (2025)
- 27%
- Tariff Revenue (2025)
- $300 billion
- Self-Deportations (2025)
- 1.9 million
- Guantanamo Bay Reopened
- Yes
- Venezuela Operation
- Operation Absolute Resolve
- Iran Oil Export Goal
- Zero
- Ukraine Peace Plan Points
- 28
- International Organisations Exited
- 66
- USAID Workforce Reduction
- 95%
Sources
One year of Trump presidency: Record executive orders, tariffs and immigration crackdown redefine US policy
Trump’s first year back in office: Promises made, achievements, and controversies
1 year of Trump 2.0: From tariffs to Venezuela, how US president shook global order
