As President Donald Trump embarks on his next 100 days in office, White House officials say his administration is shifting gears, narrowing its focus to what they call a “new era” built around two priorities: trade deals and peace deals.
This phase marks a pivot from the early days of Trump’s second term, which were characterized by a blitz of executive actions targeting immigration, cultural flashpoints, and government bureaucracy. While those themes will still feature prominently in his administration, aides say Trump is now zeroing in on reshaping America’s global economic relationships and attempting to resolve longstanding international conflicts.
Trade Blitz: 90 Days, 90 Deals?
The president’s trade agenda is ambitious and faces steep challenges. Trump recently initiated a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, giving the U.S. and its trade partners until July 8 to negotiate new terms. The move is both a tactical reset and an implicit acknowledgment that the tariffs—many introduced by Trump himself—have contributed to economic friction at home and abroad.
“Peace in the world, prosperity at home,” a senior White House official said when asked to summarize the president’s current priorities.
Senior trade adviser Peter Navarro floated the idea of “90 deals in 90 days,” a lofty goal even under optimal conditions. While administration officials say 18 countries have submitted trade proposals, no concrete deals have been announced. Talks are reportedly ongoing with nations including India, Japan, South Korea, and members of the European Union.
Involvement from Trump himself has been emphasized repeatedly by aides. A White House official described the president as “deeply involved,” citing his recent meetings with Japanese officials. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has prioritized negotiations with 15 major global economies.
Still, skepticism abounds. Trade experts warn that negotiating even a single bilateral trade agreement can take months, if not years. Trump’s own history bears this out—the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA, took over a year to finalize, while his 2020 “phase one” deal with China required painstaking diplomacy.
Adding to the urgency is domestic pressure. A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll shows 70% of Americans believe Trump’s tariffs will hurt inflation, including nearly half of Republicans. Sixty-four percent disapprove of how he’s handled trade overall—raising the political stakes for a breakthrough.
Foreign Policy: Fragile Progress
On the global stage, Trump’s foreign policy focus remains on two volatile regions: Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
He campaigned on a promise to end the war in Ukraine swiftly—once claiming he could do so within 24 hours of taking office. That statement, Trump later admitted, was more aspirational than literal. However, his team is actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, including recent meetings between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
“I think Russia and Ukraine, I think they’re coming along. We hope. Very fragile,” Trump told reporters Friday.
Officials say Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin, especially as efforts to secure a ceasefire have stalled. Trump’s public silence on Zelensky’s rejection of any peace plan involving territorial concessions from Ukraine reflects growing tension between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has renewed attention on the Middle East. Alongside efforts to secure the release of hostages in Gaza, there are quiet diplomatic backchannels with Iran, aimed at preventing further escalation in the region. Trump is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar in May, in what aides describe as a critical trip for foreign policy shaping.
Legislative Goals: Reconciliation and Resistance
Back home, Trump is also eyeing progress on Capitol Hill. So far, his legislative record this term is thin, with the Laken Riley Act—mandating federal detention of certain undocumented immigrants—standing as the only major win.
Republicans are now drafting a sweeping reconciliation bill that could combine some of Trump’s cornerstone policy goals: bolstered border security, extensions of his 2017 tax cuts, and new tax breaks for tipped and overtime wages, as well as Social Security income.
But the bill faces friction inside the GOP. Fiscal conservatives want spending cuts, while Trump has drawn a firm line against reductions to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. “I would veto it, yeah. But they’re not going to do that,” Trump said.
Lawmakers aim to mark up the bill by May 9, with hopes of passage around Memorial Day. Whether they meet that deadline is uncertain, but White House officials say Trump will increase his engagement with Congress as the vote nears.
“Much of the president’s agenda so far has come through executive action,” an aide admitted. “But for real transformation, we need Congress to deliver.”
The Road Ahead
As Trump moves deeper into his second term, the path forward is defined by complexity. Trade talks could reshape America’s economic position—but only if deals are closed. Foreign policy goals require delicate negotiation with adversaries and allies alike. And the domestic agenda hinges on cooperation from a Congress with its own priorities.
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