President Donald Trump is continuing to push a US-first economic agenda centered on reshoring manufacturing, cutting regulations and reshaping trade and tax policy.
The administration is implementing broad tariff changes and reciprocal trade frameworks to favor US-based production, though on July 7 the president delayed the implementation of his “reciprocal” tariffs to August 1 from July 9. President Trump also sent out letters to 14 countries notifying them of the new tariff rates unless they secure trade deals by the new deadline.
On July 4, 2025. the president signed into law H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” On July 3, the House of Representatives voted 218 to 214 to pass the final version of the bill. The Senate narrowly approved it on July 1 with a vote of 51-50, with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President J.D. Vance. The sweeping tax bill aims to incentivize domestic investment and extends permanently individual, business and international tax provisions of the 2017 TCJA, which were set to expire at the end of the year.
The president has signed more than 100 executive orders — many designed to accelerate deregulation in energy, AI and technology and fast-track nuclear expansion. Amid growing geopolitical and regulatory fragmentation, businesses are reassessing global footprints and supply chains to align with shifting US policy priorities.
Executives will want to sort through the president’s latest moves to understand what changes mean for their industries, where to find opportunity and how to mitigate risk. Learn more about the administration’s policy changes, what it means for business and how you can prepare. Check back for updates.
President Trump signed an executive order extending the July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries to August 1.
The Trump administration also sent letters to 14 countries notifying them of updated tariff rates in the event a negotiated trade agreement is not reached.
June 16, 2025
President Trump and United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially signed a bilateral trade agreement announced in May.
June 11, 2025
Following two days of talks on June 9 and 10, the United States and China agreed to maintain reduced tariffs while committing to negotiate a broader trade framework over the next 60 days. The deal still requires approval from Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping.
June 9, 2025
May 27, 2025
The European Union agreed to fast-track trade talks with the US.
May 25, 2025
President Trump agreed to delay imposing a 50% tariff on imports from Europe until July 9. Two days earlier, he threatened a June 1 start date for the tariffs, citing stalled talks.
May 22, 2025
The House of Representatives voted 215-214 to pass the “One Big Beautiful” tax bill.
May 12, 2025
The US and China agreed to a 90-day pause on most tariffs each country imposed on the other over the past month.
May 8, 2025
April 30, 2025
US growth domestic product contracted in the first quarter of 2025, falling at a seasonally and inflation adjusted rate of 0.3%. It was the first contraction since the first quarter of 2022.
April 29, 2025
President Trump’s 100th day in office.
President Trump announced plans to ease some tariffs for automakers.
China’s manufacturing activity fell to 49, below expectations and below the 50-level expansion threshold.
April 25, 2025
In a news conference, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said there have not been any tariffs negotiations with the US.
April 11, 2025
April 9, 2025
President Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for 75 non-retaliatory countries. A 10% across-the-board tariff will remain for those countries.
The president also increased reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, effective immediately, following China’s announcement that it would raise its retaliatory tariffs on US imports to 84% from 34%. The new total rate of 145% took effect overnight.
April 7, 2025
On July 7, President Trump pushed back the July 9 deadline for “reciprocal” tariffs by three weeks to August 1 in an effort to negotiate more trade deals. The president on July 9 also sent letters to 14 countries notifying them of new tariff rates that would go into effect in August if they don’t secure deals before the new deadline. The countries on notice include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Serbia, among others. The president said he would be sending letters to more countries. On July 8, he said he would impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. He also warned of 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
The reciprocal tariff delay comes nearly a month after the United States and China announced an agreement to maintain reduced tariffs while committing to negotiate a broader trade framework over the next 60 days. As part of the agreement, China agreed to resume exports of rare earth elements and magnets to the US. The deal still requires approval from Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping. This follows weeks of back-and-forth on tariffs. On May 12, the US and China agreed to a 90-day pause on most tariffs the countries had imposed on one another. US tariffs on Chinese imports would decrease to 30% from 145%, and Chinese tariffs on US goods would fall to 10% from 125%, the countries said in a joint statement. This followed a trade deal with the United Kingdom announced on May 8, the first agreement since the president announced his sweeping tariffs announcement on April 2.
Negotiations with several countries have been ongoing since the president’s “Liberation Day” announcement. As part of this announcement, President Trump set a baseline 10% tariff on most imports from all countries, with higher additional country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries based on perceived trade imbalances that were set to go into effect April 9. Instead, the president on April 9 announced a 90-day pause on the additional country-specific reciprocal tariffs for certain countries, with a10% base tariff remaining in effect on most imported goods (with the exception of certain exempt goods) from all countries (except Canada, Mexico and China). Goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) would continue to remain exempt from tariffs, while non-USMCA-compliant goods would be subject to a 25% tariff.
The pause for tariffs on China ends on August 12.
Global trade is changing. With new tariffs, shifting policies and increasingly complex supply chains, the challenge is not just to react swiftly, but to make strategic decisions that keep you ahead.
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On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the final version of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which extends permanently, individual, business and international tax provisions enacted as part of the 2017 TCJA that were set to expire at the end of the year. The bill features modified versions of individual and business tax relief proposals advanced by President Trump and other new tax relief measures. It also includes various revenue-raising measures, including changes to certain Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) clean energy tax credits and some limits on business and individual tax deductions that are intended to offset part of the cost of the legislation.
Republicans used the budget reconciliation process, which allows the legislation to be approved with a simple-majority vote instead of the 60-vote majority usually required. Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but the bill passed 51-50, with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The House on July 3 voted 218 to 214 to pass without change the Senate version of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which reflects the tax priorities of President Trump and Congressional Republicans.
In addition to significant tax law changes, the bill now signed into law includes increased funding for immigration law enforcement and national defense, as well as spending reductions affecting a large number of federal programs. The bill also included a provision to increase the federal statutory debt limit by $5 trillion.
Tax policy changes are bigger than tax. Changes to tax credits, incentives for US-based production and international tax provisions may affect your research and development plans, value chain transformation, and supply chain and international tax core planning.
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Since taking office, President Trump has been focused on a US-first manufacturing agenda and advancing American leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) through deregulation and innovation. Recent executive actions have reshaped trade, energy and technology priorities — aimed at shifting the competitive landscape in favor of US-based investment. New tariffs and a reciprocal trade framework are designed to incentivize companies to reshore manufacturing and diversify supply chains.
These policy changes and the administration’s deregulatory push — including rolling back energy regulations, fast-tracking nuclear expansion and accelerating AI competitiveness through EO 14179 — are fueling a shift in strategic thinking around operations and energy infrastructure. A surge in AI use and broader plans for innovation are also accelerating demand for reliable, low-cost energy.
Changing geopolitical dynamics, supply chain realignment and uncertainty presents a critical opportunity for domestic growth and innovation. This transition, however, exposes urgent gaps in infrastructure, workforce skills, investment capacity, incentives and energy systems needed to evolve to a modern, resilient industrial base.
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The global economy is changing, and geopolitics is becoming a driving force in business strategy. The Trump administration’s stance on trade, tariffs and regulation is reshaping how companies assess risk and operate internationally. Fragmented global policies — such as the EU’s AI Act and cross-border data rules — combined with an array of executive actions, are driving companies to reevaluate exposure, modernize compliance strategies and strengthen crisis readiness.
In this environment, companies should treat geopolitical volatility not as a one-off event, but as a persistent strategic variable requiring continuous monitoring, scenario planning and operational agility.
Shifts in the geopolitical landscape and regulation, policy changes and tariff increases are disrupting businesses that operate or have a presence in certain countries.
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With new tariffs, shifting policies, and increasingly complex supply chains, the challenge is not just to react swiftly, but to make strategic decisions that keep you ahead. PwC and Palantir's approach through the real-time scenario modeling solution integrates diverse trade data streams — empowering companies with predictive, actionable insights. Model scenarios across tariffs, supply chains, financial impact and commercial strategies to proactively mitigate risks, capture opportunities and drive confident decisions in a volatile trade landscape.
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While some key economic indicators are moving in the right direction, executives are still wary about the economic outlook.
Executives are likely to see a shift in the regulatory landscape under President-elect Donald Trump and a move toward some deregulation.
As executives work to thwart cyber attackers, they must also comply with a maze of cybersecurity regulations — a high-pressure and complicated effort.
While the prospect of a higher corporate tax rate is no longer on the table, concerns remain about international tax changes scheduled to take effect in 2026, as well as the US adoption of a Pillar Two-compliant per country GILTI regime.
Executives anticipate more tariffs, which may be implemented by executive order.
The current murky AI policy landscape is not slowing executives’ investment plans in artificial intelligence.
Sustainability regulations and incentives for businesses will likely change dramatically, though executives still plan to invest in sustainability.
Dealmakers prefer certainty, and they can now plan, knowing who will be in the White House.
Many financial services (FS) dealmakers are taking a cautious approach to transactions given economic, regulatory or monetary policy uncertainties. But now that President-elect Trump has won, that may change. In our October 2024 Pulse Survey, 84% of FS executives say the election outcome will affect, either somewhat or to a great extent, their company’s business decisions about acquisitions or divestitures.
Two concerns loom large for technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) executives under a new administration: regulatory compliance and cybersecurity. The sector is preparing for potential policy shifts that could have repercussions for digital platforms and content providers.
With the election now decided, health industries (HI) executives are watching regulatory, trade and tax policy signals. HI executives hold strong views that the outcome of the election will affect their company’s business decisions somewhat or to a great extent, particularly their approach to regulatory compliance (92% versus 76% overall). HI leaders say the same about their financial forecasts and budget decisions (86% versus 75% overall).
Industrial products (IP) companies are keeping a close eye on how the election outcome will play out for their industry, particularly when it comes to trade policy, according to our October 2024 Pulse Survey. Three quarters of IP leaders say the outcome of the election will either somewhat or significantly change their company’s trade decisions. This is likely due to IP companies being heavily reliant on raw materials and components from overseas. Trade policy — including tariffs, trade agreements and sanctions — often affect the cost and availability of these materials.
Most of the energy, utilities and resources (EUR) executives surveyed say the election outcome will affect their approach to regulatory compliance (79% either somewhat or to a great extent), according to our October 2024 Pulse Survey.
Scenario planning around evolving energy policy can help leaders be ready. From permitting for pipelines, drilling and infrastructure to the nuances of rate-setting, navigating the regulatory process and consistently executing can be a competitive differentiator for energy and utilities companies. Executives should proactively engage with lawmakers at all levels. While much authority sits with federal agencies and regulatory appointments may be delayed in times of divided government, much of day-to-day regulation happens at the more local levels.
Now that the election is decided, consumer markets (CM) companies are evaluating its potential impact on their operations. According to our October 2024 Pulse Survey, 74% of CM leaders agree or strongly agree that the outcome of the election could significantly change how they do business. CM leaders strongly agree that post-election trade and tax policies could harm US competitiveness.
Seventy-four percent of CEOs agree or strongly agree that the election could significantly change how their company does business, finds PwC’s latest Pulse Survey. Economic policies and stances on regulating technology, AI and data are top concerns. Uncertainty can reveal opportunities — yet corporate culture may slow a CEO’s ability to take advantage of it.
The current business environment is causing CFOs to be judicious about spending. Eighty-four percent of CFOs surveyed in PwC’s latest Pulse Survey say they’re delaying at least one investment decision. With so much uncertainty, accurate predictions have become harder.
COOs are increasingly concerned about the pressures they face, with 86% of operations leaders in our October 2024 Pulse Survey identifying a lack of time for long-term strategic thinking as a significant challenge to achieving their priorities, up from 61% who expressed similar concerns in June 2024. Despite these challenges, COOs are pushing forward with digital transformation, with 55% prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) and 49% focusing on the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices to enhance their operations.
Risk executives are navigating uncharted territory, with nearly 90% citing new risks, regulations and talent challenges as barriers to their priorities, according to our October 2024 Pulse Survey. The election added to the uncertainty, with most expecting increased litigation, regulation and executive orders regardless of the outcome.
With new capabilities — and vulnerabilities — debuting seemingly daily, it’s no wonder information and technology leaders are thinking about AI. Nearly half (47%) rate keeping up with the expansion of AI policy and standards as a significant challenge, according to our October 2024 Pulse Survey. The growing complexity of these regulations underscores the seriousness of AI-related risks, which are becoming a critical concern for organizations. More than two thirds (68%) of tech leaders cite AI legal and reputational risks as a moderate or serious risk to their company.
President-elect Donald Trump’s White House win takes the prospect of a higher corporate tax rate off the table. But tax leaders still have other things on their minds. They’re also worried about international tax changes scheduled to take effect in 2026, as well as the failure to extend expired provisions of the TCJA. All of these issues highlight the expanding remit of tax leaders.
Directors already had a heightened sense for risk before adding the election into the equation, according to PwC’s latest Pulse Survey. While even the most experienced boards can’t see around every corner, they should strive to remain agile, stay current in the face of election uncertainty and prepare for different outcomes that could disrupt or accelerate current trends. Each of those scenarios needs board input and oversight.
Human capital leaders will closely watch policy changes under President-elect Trump for potential impacts on the talent market, including issues like minimum wage, paid leave, and executive compensation. While some CHROs are waiting, others are actively influencing policy, according to our October 2024 PwC Pulse Survey. In the meantime, HR leaders are shifting focus to areas they can control, such as employee work location. With only 36% prioritizing flexibility, they are now emphasizing access to skilled workers and cost savings through a reduced office footprint.
PwC’s Pulse Survey: CHROs reassess location strategies as they eye election impact
Data privacy is often top of mind for today’s CMO. As you rely on customer data more and more for targeted advertising, personalized marketing and customer experience optimization, staying ahead of regulatory shifts is critical. And marketing leaders see election-driven changes coming, according to our latest Pulse Survey. Anticipating these changes and understanding evolving consumer priorities will be crucial.
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