The power of the head of a government is generally strongest in the first year. The first 100 days set the tone for an administration. It is this period during which major decisions are taken and roadmaps announced. In no country does its constitution define or consider a government’s first 100 days as particularly special. But in modern politics, it is critical. That is why the whole world is discussing what Donald Trump did and didn’t do and how he fared in the first one hundred days in office. It is a fact that in these first one hundred days, Trump worked feverishly to rewrite American policy on certain crucial aspects – immigration being the most important of them. Simultaneously, he dismantled and restructured many government institutions and exerted an amount of executive power that is unprecedented in recent times. The Guardian, one of the most respected newspapers in the world, has remarked that Trump has completed his first one hundred days in office after an extraordinary return to power as the 47th president, vowing to impose his vision and re-alter the political and cultural landscape of the nation. It is important to note that Trump had, during the run-up to the election, promised to end inflation and “make America affordable again” by making groceries cheaper, passing tax cuts for workers and levying tariffs that his administration says will boost American manufacturing. True that inflation saw its lowest increase in four years in the last 100 days. But then, grocery prices have continued to rise, despite his tall claims, worrying every citizen in the US. On the global front, Trump has increased tariffs steeply, particularly against China and Canada. This, however, has led to retaliatory tariffs, stock market turmoil, a massive drop in consumer confidence, and turbulence in relationships with America’s greatest allies. This has forced the White House to announce that it is negotiating new trade deals with scores of countries. As far as India is concerned, the first 100 days of Trump’s second term in the White House have been nothing short of transformative for US-India relations, reshaping the strategic and economic landscape between the world’s two largest democracies with unprecedented intensity and ambition. Trade has been a central theme in Trump 2.0’s engagement with India. Thus, he announced a reciprocal tariff policy targeting India’s high tariffs, stating that the US will “charge as much as India charges”, a move designed to level the playing field and protect American interests. Despite this tough posture, Trump hailed PM Modi as “doing a great job” and emphasised their “great friendship”, underscoring a relationship that is transactional diplomacy. Despite his apparent personal bonhomie with Narendra Modi, Trump had referred to India as the “tariff king” and had made it abundantly clear that he planned to impose significant tariffs on India as part of his trade strategy. But, through an early visit to the US, Modi had, no doubt, sought to curry favour with Trump to ward off the punishing tariffs. A shrewd Modi knew how to handle Trump, who considers himself a deft negotiator but has many of the attributes of a schoolyard bully. Thus, the Indian prime minister had already signalled a willingness to address Trump’s obsession with tariffs. To that end, he had already reduced tariffs on a range of American products, including the iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which is considered a symbol of American manufacturing. During his visit, likely at Trump’s prodding, Modi also made a tentative offer to purchase an unspecified number of F-35 fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Despite always praising Modi in public, Trump had deported a host of Indian illegal immigrants whom the Trump administration had deported. Modi, on his part, maintained a studious silence on the matter, which was clearly designed to avoid a fracas with the second Trump administration. In the US, however, President Trump’s first one hundred days have been marked by controversy, division, and global concern. An analysis of US-based media reports says that his approval ratings are the lowest of any modern US president at this point in office, with disapproval cutting across most demographic groups. While Trump continues to get support for his stand on crime and immigration, Americans have overwhelmingly criticised the way he has been handling the economy, foreign affairs, and especially trade. It has been pointed out that his aggressive tariff policies have triggered economic instability, shaken investor confidence, and hurt everyday Americans — leading many to fear a looming recession. Analysing international media, reports from Washington, however, say that Trump’s actions have tarnished America’s global image, with key allies, especially in Europe, turning away from “Trump’s America”. Trump’s attitude and decisions have begun to cut down foreign student arrivals in the US, while tourism and iconic brands are feeling the fallout.