The first year of President Trump’s second term has been marked by a series of policy shocks signalling an era of heightened uncertainty for the global economy. Euromonitor International identified six pillars of Trump’s policies during his first year, three of which have dominated: Tariffs, Migration and (De)Regulation. Regulatory changes and shifts in immigration or other policies are collectively slowing demand from key consumer groups and curbing international travel spend while ongoing uncertainty suppresses growth and investment across industries.
Our experts review the past year and outline the most significant implications of migration and regulation policies across industries. Businesses that combine agility with long-term resilience planning are best positioned to succeed in this unpredictable operating environment.
From shock to strategy: Building resilience
Trump’s second year is set to bring continued uncertainty and unpredictable geopolitical developments, as evidenced by the US intervention in Venezuela in early January 2026 as well as determined efforts to acquire independent territories such as Greenland from the start of this year.
Business must balance short-term shocks of policy volatility alongside long-term resilience through diversification of their consumer bases and adjusting product and price strategies with more value-based offerings. Flexibility is key to pivot towards more resilient segments when demand is weakened.
For more insights about market uncertainties and geopolitical risks, explore our trending topic, Market Volatility.
Note: At the time of writing, the US Supreme Court has deferred a pending decision on the legality of Trump’s tariffs.
