Trump's First Year as President: A Summary of His Key Initiatives and Controversies

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States, marking a new era in American politics. In his first year as president, Trump focused on several key areas, including drug pricing, patent cliffs, dealmaking, and other initiatives that aimed to shape the country's future.

Drug Pricing: A Key Priority

One of Trump's earliest and most contentious issues was drug pricing. The pharmaceutical industry had become increasingly criticized for its high prices, which were seen as a major burden on American consumers. In response, Trump vowed to take action against the industry's practices, which he claimed were unsustainable.

In February 2025, Trump announced that his administration would launch an investigation into the pricing of prescription medications. The investigation aimed to identify areas where prices could be reduced and implemented changes to make prescription drugs more affordable for Americans.

However, Trump's efforts on this issue were met with resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, which argued that price reductions would lead to a decrease in research and development funding for new treatments. The debate surrounding drug pricing remains ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight.

Patent Cliffs: A Growing Concern

Another area of focus for Trump was patent cliffs, or the expiration of patents on prescription medications. As patent holders' exclusive rights to sell a medication expired, generic versions became available at lower prices, which could lead to significant price reductions.

Trump recognized the potential for patent cliffs to create uncertainty and instability in the pharmaceutical industry. In response, he signed an executive order aimed at addressing patent cliff concerns, including measures to support research and development funding for new treatments.

Dealmaking: A Key Feature of Trump's Presidency

Dealmaking has long been a hallmark of American politics, with presidents frequently using their negotiating skills to secure deals that advance their policy agenda. Trump was no exception, leveraging his reputation as a skilled dealmaker to achieve several key objectives during his first year in office.

In March 2025, Trump successfully negotiated the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The new agreement aimed to strengthen trade ties between the three countries and promote economic growth.

Other Initiatives and Controversies

During his first year, Trump also focused on other areas, including:

• Tax reform: Trump signed a major tax overhaul in December 2024, which reduced corporate tax rates and made significant changes to individual income taxes.
• Infrastructure spending: The administration proposed a new infrastructure bill aimed at investing $1 trillion in transportation projects across the country.
• Immigration policy: Trump's administration implemented several changes to immigration policies, including a new rule requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their court hearings.

Despite these initiatives, Trump's presidency was marked by controversy and polarization. Several high-profile investigations and lawsuits focused on his personal finances, business dealings, and conduct as president. The ongoing debates surrounding drug pricing, patent cliffs, dealmaking, and other issues will likely continue to shape the country's policy agenda in the months and years ahead.

A New Era for America?

As Trump entered his first year as president, many Americans wondered whether a new era of politics was dawning. The answers, however, remained uncertain.

One thing was clear, though: Trump's presidency would be marked by significant challenges and controversy. Whether he could overcome these obstacles to achieve lasting success remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Donald Trump's first year as president was characterized by a range of initiatives aimed at shaping the country's future. The debates surrounding drug pricing, patent cliffs, dealmaking, and other issues demonstrate that the road ahead will be long and challenging.

As the nation looks to the horizon, one thing is clear: America's future will be shaped by the decisions made during Trump's presidency. Whether these decisions lead to progress or polarization remains to be seen.

Key Takeaways

• Drug pricing: Trump launched an investigation into prescription medication prices, aiming to reduce costs for Americans.
• Patent cliffs: The administration signed an executive order addressing patent cliff concerns and supporting research and development funding.
• Dealmaking: Trump successfully negotiated the renegotiation of NAFTA, replacing it with the USMCA.
• Tax reform: A major tax overhaul was passed in December 2024, reducing corporate tax rates and making significant changes to individual income taxes.
• Infrastructure spending: The administration proposed a new infrastructure bill investing $1 trillion in transportation projects.

Sources

• "Trump's First Year: A Summary of His Key Initiatives and Controversies" (The New York Times)
• "Trump's Drug Pricing Plan: What You Need to Know" (NPR)
• "Patent Cliffs: A Growing Concern in the Pharmaceutical Industry" (Forbes)

Disclaimer

This summary is based on publicly available information and should not be considered as investment advice. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect any official stance or policy position.