Trump’s First Nine Months: Peace Deals, Tariffs, and Controversies

Wars abroad and military deployments at home have dominated President Donald Trump’s third quarter in office, with his administration pushing forward an ambitious agenda that has both fulfilled campaign promises and sparked nationwide protests.

The Trump White House has been methodically working through campaign pledges made to Michigan voters while also implementing policies that weren’t explicitly outlined during his campaign – including deploying troops to Democratic-led American cities and cutting billions in congressional appropriations.

In a significant diplomatic achievement, Trump’s team helped broker a ceasefire in Gaza this month, potentially ending a two-year conflict that claimed nearly 68,000 Palestinian lives. The deal, negotiated with help from former business partner Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, secured the release of remaining Israeli hostages and fulfilled a promise Trump made during a campaign stop in Michigan’s Hamtramck community.

“Regarding Gaza, a territory about the size of Detroit, more agreements have to be hammered out, but the tentative deal reached earlier this month has brought applause from both Trump supporters and critics,” noted regional observers familiar with the negotiations.

The Ukraine conflict remains unresolved despite Trump’s August summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The president’s position has vacillated, initially suggesting Ukraine should cede territory before later indicating it might reclaim all lost lands. Most recently, he appeared to favor Russia’s position, proposing fighting should stop along current battle lines, which leave substantial portions of eastern Ukraine under Russian control.

Economic Impacts and Auto Industry Revival

On the economic front, Trump’s sweeping tariffs have generated nearly $200 billion in federal revenue this year while sparking significant domestic investment, particularly in Michigan’s crucial auto industry.

Stellantis recently announced a $13 billion investment in U.S. production facilities, including $230 million for plants in Detroit and Warren that will add 900 jobs. General Motors committed $4 billion to facilities in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee in June, while Ford pledged $5 billion for operations in Michigan and Kentucky in August.

“The tariffs generated nearly $30 billion in new federal revenue in August and nearly $200 billion for the year,” according to economic reports, though they have also driven price increases in certain sectors. Coffee costs have risen nearly 10% since April, while jewelry increased 5% and televisions 3%.

Unemployment in Michigan remains at 5.2% – unchanged since Trump’s election – while inflation ticked up to 2.9% in August from 2.4% in March, though still lower than economists predicted given the tariff regime. Stock markets have surged under Trump, with the Dow Jones up 12% since Election Day and the S&P 500 climbing 18%.

Immigration and Law Enforcement

Trump’s promise to “stop the invasion” at the southern border has led to a dramatic decrease in attempted crossings – from 1.24 million in the first eight months of 2024 to just 135,515 this year. His administration has hired thousands of immigration officers and deployed military assets to support border security operations.

However, immigration raids have sparked controversy by occasionally detaining U.S. citizens, leading to legal challenges. In Michigan, reports indicate most people arrested by Detroit’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement office had not previously been charged with crimes, despite the administration’s stated focus on criminal offenders.

The president’s deployment of National Guard troops to Washington D.C., Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles has drawn criticism for exceeding campaign rhetoric. Vice President JD Vance recently suggested Trump would send troops to Detroit if Governor Gretchen Whitmer requested them – an offer she dismissed as “unwarranted.”

Mixed Results on Other Priorities

Trump’s pledge to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments free for all Americans has only been partially implemented. While his administration announced measures to reduce costs for common IVF medications, potentially saving couples up to $2,200 per treatment cycle, he has not mandated government or insurer coverage of the full expense, which typically exceeds $10,000 per cycle in Michigan.

On energy policy, Trump eliminated subsidies for electric vehicles as promised, which experts believe will significantly reduce EV sales. However, his vow to cut energy costs in half has not materialized – Michigan’s residential electricity prices actually increased nearly 4% year-over-year in July, though gasoline prices have fallen 15% from last year.

The administration’s efforts against drug trafficking have resulted in a 9% increase in confiscated narcotics compared to 2024, with controversial measures including military strikes against suspected drug boats near Venezuela and Colombia.

As Trump approaches his first full year in office, his supporters celebrate fulfilled promises on immigration, tariffs, and Middle East diplomacy, while critics have organized protests in Michigan and nationwide against military deployments in American cities and perceived threats to democratic norms.