On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump addressed Congress with a confident speech, showcasing his series of bold policy decisions that have reshaped America’s foreign relations, sparked trade tensions with primary allies, and significantly reduced the federal workforce. He did all of these within his first six weeks in office.

As Republican supporters gave him a standing ovation, Trump proclaimed, "My fellow citizens, America is back." He went on to assert, "We have achieved more in 43 days than what others did in the last four years."

During his speech, Trump mentioned India while highlighting his administration's commitment to enforcing reciprocal tariffs. Additionally, he spoke about his decision to prohibit diversity and inclusion programs in the federal government, declaring, "Our country will be woke no longer."

Donald Trump's first speech to Congress included many references. During his first address to Congress, Donald Trump focused on the economic difficulties facing the United States, blaming former President Joe Biden for rising inflation. He pointed out that egg prices had gone "out of control" and vowed to make the country more affordable.

Trump also took the opportunity to boast about surviving four criminal prosecutions, though only one has gone to trial. He reiterated his claim that the Justice Department had been weaponised against him for political reasons. "We have brought back free speech... I signed an order making English the official language of the US," he declared. Trump stood by his tariff policy, even though some expressed worries that it might lead to higher consumer prices and slow economic growth. Emphasising his stance, he stated, "Whatever they tax us, we tax them."

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that starting April 2, he will impose reciprocal tariffs on most of America’s trading partners, including India. He stated that this decision is in response to these countries "having trade policies that are unfair to Americans." A day after Trump's new 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports took effect, along with a tariff increase on Chinese goods to 20%, he pledged to impose reciprocal tariffs.

In response, the U.S.'s three largest trading partners have announced countermeasures against the U.S. "Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it is our turn to start using them against those other countries. On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India and countless other nations charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It is very unfair," he said.

"India charges us tariffs higher than 100 per cent, China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them, and South Korea’s average tariff is four times higher. This is happening by friends and foes. The system is not fair to the US; it never was. On April 2, reciprocal tariffs kick in. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them," Trump mentioned that he deliberately avoided announcing on April 1 to prevent it from being associated with April Fool's Day.

Trump emphasised that if trading partners "use non-monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we will use non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market".

He stated, "We will take in trillions and trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before". He also stressed that "we've been ripped off for decades by every country on earth, and we will not let that happen any longer."

The US President, referring to a letter from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Ukraine was willing to negotiate to end the war with Russia just days after a tense exchange at the White House. He also mentioned that Zelenskyy had agreed to sign the agreement on minerals.

Trump made a strong statement against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, vowing to eliminate such policies in government, the private sector, and the military. He declared, "Our country will no longer be woke. Whether you are a doctor, accountant, lawyer – you should be hired and promoted based on skill, not race or gender."

He also reaffirmed his belief that only two genders exist, male and female. Taking a firm stance, he stated, "From now on, schools will kick the men off the girls' team, or they will lose all federal funding."

During a widely shared moment in his speech, Trump honoured 13-year-old DJ Daniel, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer, by appointing him as a U.S. Secret Service agent, making him the youngest person ever to receive the title. 

With his close advisor Elon Musk in attendance, 78-year-old Republican billionaire Donald Trump praised the tech mogul for leading his administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal government. As Democrats held signs reading "Musk steals," Trump acknowledged him, saying, "Thank you, Elon." He also commended his wife, Melania, for championing a bill that criminalises the online posting of intimate images, whether real or altered, at the federal level.

Lightening the moment, Trump joked that he might use the law himself, remarking, "Nobody gets treated worse than I do online."