The Immediate Effects of the Election (Locally and Nationally)
Recently, the United States faced a world altering decision: to elect Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States of America. There has been much discussion and predicting of the effects that will occur post January 20th—a rapid continuation of the climate crisis, major attacks on reproductive rights and other basic medical access for women, funding sent to Israel to continue the now year long genocide in Palestine, a destroyed economy and much more. However, even now, just weeks after Trump’s win, there have been effects nationally, in our city and in our school.
In the US as a whole, one significant alteration we are already seeing is in the economy in anticipation of the tariffs and other new taxes Trump will be setting in place. Due to beliefs of a lack of regulation in American markets while foreign trade is being taxed heavily, stocks have risen dramatically (DeFusco). Following the election, and even months before with the possibility of Trump’s return to the White House, American companies have been buying products from China in bulk (in preparation for Trump’s supposed 60% tax on Chinese goods). Comparing October of 2023 to October of this year, shipments from China increased almost 13%, showing just how significant these tariffs are going to be. This is emphasized by the fact that, last year alone, American companies spent approximately $430 billion dollars on Chinese goods (Miao).
There are also clear impacts that are not purely statistical. People are emotional, in both a positive and negative sense. While some are looking forward to a new era with a hope for changes, others are not only angry, but afraid for their rights. There are battles going on, especially on social media right now, with people creating content celebrating a saved America, while others claim they are from their specific state, separating themselves from the country as a whole. In total, this election is clearly revealing the levels of divided the country is at the moment. Living in a blue state, there is less visual divide. Walking down the streets of Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 6th was a somber event, almost everyone clearly shocked and saddened at the outcome of the night prior. While this can feel hopeless, it shows a sense of connection in the city. However, the fear of this is, if people feel only united by their state, the country will remain a fractured nation.
