State of the Union speech: No real surprises here

President Donald Trump sticks to his original stand on immigration and trade

US President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address on Wednesday showed how little the agenda that he brought to office has changed in the past year. His speech remained faithful, for example, to his dislike for both immigrants and trade. He did offer some concessions on the children of illegal migrants, but continued to demand his Mexican wall, an end to the visa lottery system and restrictions on family chain visas. The President did call for more meritbased visas – something that would benefit educated Indian migrants, but his tenor remained hostile and his connection of immigrants to crime and terror were specious. Mr Trump was on solid ground with his claims that the US economy is booming. Unemployment levels have indeed fallen, growth is up and corporate earnings are rising. Much of this had little to do with Mr Trump. The US economy was recovering before he was elected. It can at best be said President Trump did not get in the way of such growth. Nonetheless, it is the prerogative of politicians to take credit for any positive trend that happens while they are in office.

However, Mr Trump’s speech indicated he will do nothing to address the long-term structural issues that bedevil US society. While lowering corporate taxes made economic sense, the administration’s tax reductions for even the wealthiest of Americans will only aggravate inequalities that have been spilling over into class and racial tensions. The poor education, drug addiction and health care issues that affect the US working class received only a passing mention in the speech – and are receiving even less attention in Mr Trump’s policy actions.

The State of the Union address is thought to be a reflection of the President’s domestic agenda. Mr Trump continues to adhere to a vision of his country marked by the closing of doors and the preservation of privilege.