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Trump criticizes Biden’s carbon reduction policies as "crippling the economy" and moves to roll back clean energy initiatives. (Photo: The White House)
As U.S. President Donald Trump marked his first 100 days back in office on April 30, he had already signed more than 100 executive orders—aggressively dismantling his predecessor’s policies and unleashing a tariff shockwave that rattled global trade markets. His dismissive stance on climate change has also fueled a brewing backlash against ESG initiatives.
In our special series, "Trump’s First 100 Days," RECCESSARY explores the far-reaching impact of Trump’s tariff agenda, climate policies, and corporate strategies, offering an in-depth look at how the renewable energy sector is bracing for disruption.
As U.S. President Donald Trump marks his first 100 days back in office, his administration has already dismantled many of the previous administration’s policies. Trump's moves include scrapping emissions and environmental regulations, cutting clean energy subsidies, and doubling down on fossil fuel production. This aggressive rollback not only threatens U.S' own energy transition but is also sending shockwaves through global climate governance.
U.S. clean energy subsidies slashed, hundreds of projects under review
One of Trump’s first acts was to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, declare a "national energy emergency," and cancel federal subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs)—delivering a seismic blow to the global clean energy industry. Throughout his speeches, Trump has repeatedly emphasized an "America First" agenda, claiming that the pursuit of net-zero emissions sacrifices American workers and manufacturers.
A longtime supporter of the fossil fuel industry, Trump has reversed key Biden-era policies by cancelling federal tax credits for solar and wind projects and expanding oil and gas drilling rights on federal lands.
According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, the Department of Energy has already terminated two clean energy grants awarded to the nonprofit RMI for being "inconsistent with current administration goals." One grant, worth $5.3 million, was intended to retrofit low-income housing in Massachusetts and California for energy efficiency. Another $1.5 million grant was earmarked for researching EV-sharing models in American cities.
In addition, approximately 300 clean energy projects are now under review, spanning wind, solar, energy storage, and EV infrastructure. Many of these initiatives were funded through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Energy outlet E&E News reports that the Trump administration is drafting a "blacklist" of projects that may lose funding, totaling billions of dollars in potential cuts.
On the regulatory front, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the largest deregulation effort in its history. Trump's administration has targeted Obama- and Biden-era climate rules, including power plant carbon limits, vehicle emissions standards, and water protection measures. Controversially, the EPA is also considering overturning previous scientific findings that classify greenhouse gas pollution as harmful—a move that could strip the EPA of its authority to regulate carbon emissions altogether.
