Relaxing government regulations is expected to be one of the core policies of Donald Trump's second term.
Trump plans to stimulate economic growth by cutting regulations, optimizing the operation of federal agencies, and promoting government restructuring. Here are the top ten key points summarized in the report:
- The number of federal regulations is vast, far exceeding laws enacted
Federal agencies issue about 3,000 regulations annually, which is 10 times the number of new laws enacted by Congress. Regulations are formulated by the executive branch based on legislative authorization, whereas laws need to go through the more complex process of congressional debate and approval. - Only 10% of regulations have significant economic impact
Despite the large number of regulations, only 10% are considered to have "significant economic" impact, typically involving amounts over $100 million. By 2023, this standard has risen to $200 million. - Major regulations require cost-benefit assessment
Major regulations must ensure that benefits exceed costs. Jefferies' analysis indicates that since 2005, the two most costly regulations have generated benefits exceeding $3 trillion over their effective period, three times their cost. - Relaxing regulations requires following the rule-making process
Relaxing regulations follows a process similar to that of making them, including public notice, solicitation of comments, and reviews. In certain cases, some steps can be bypassed. - Relaxing regulations is not exclusive to any political party
Throughout U.S. history, relaxing regulations has been driven by multiple parties, with presidents like Carter, Reagan, and Clinton, as well as legislators such as Kennedy, making significant contributions to regulatory reform. - Legal challenges may hinder regulatory relaxation
The Administrative Procedure Act allows courts to overturn arbitrary or illegal regulations. In Trump's first term attempts to relax regulations, 57% faced legal challenges and were overturned, a rate much higher than other administrations. - Trump's regulatory focus differs from traditional Republicans
Unlike traditional Republicans who emphasize economic regulation, Trump is more focused on revoking social regulations (such as environmental laws) while retaining intervention methods like tariffs and industrial policies. - "One-in, two-out" rule and regulatory budget
During Trump's first term, a "one-in, two-out" rule was introduced, requiring two regulations to be revoked for each new one, alongside a regulatory budget to ensure new regulation costs can be offset. Trump proposed expanding it to "one-in, ten-out." - Environment and energy regulations as primary targets
About 90% of the regulatory cost savings in Trump's first term came from revoking environmental and energy regulations, aligning with his policy focus on reducing restrictions on the energy sector. - Government restructuring affects the private sector
Planned government streamlining might include layoffs, having a profound impact on federal contractors. For instance, the top 20 federal contracts, covering fields such as health and defense, amount to over $570 billion annually.
Economic and social impacts of regulatory relaxation
Jefferies' analysis suggests that relaxing regulations will provide more flexibility for the economy but may also incur social and environmental costs. Trump's policy path reflects a priority on reducing government intervention and promoting economic growth, but its implementation faces legal challenges and public scrutiny.
Policy path under scrutiny
Trump's plans to relax regulations and restructure the government in his second term will profoundly affect federal agencies, the private sector, and the overall U.S. economy. As policies are implemented, the market and society’s responses to their actual effects are worth continuing to watch.
