Overview

• The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in Q1 2025, marking the first quarter of negative growth in three years, with economists warning of a potential recession.
• Trump's sweeping tariffs, including a 145% levy on Chinese goods, have caused market volatility and consumer price increases, with ongoing uncertainty about their long-term implementation.
• Approval ratings for Trump have fallen to 39–45%, the lowest for a president at the 100-day mark in over 70 years, driven by economic concerns and divisive policies.
• Military aid to Ukraine, paused earlier in the term, has resumed, but allied trust in U.S. commitments has eroded due to mixed signals on NATO and foreign policy retrenchments.
• Immigration enforcement has intensified, with deportation levels similar to past administrations, while restrictions on media access have sparked free-press concerns.