As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next week, his stance on trade, immigration and climate change has raised significant concerns about America's future, especially among young voters.

A voter prepares to cast her ballot at a polling station during the 2024 U.S. presidential election in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, on Nov. 5, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] 

Young voters cast 14% of all ballots in the 2024 election, according to the National Election Pool exit poll conducted by Edison Research. Their stance on major policy issues deserve careful attention. 

A survey by AP VoteCast allowed voters to select the "most important issue facing the country" from nine options. About 40% of young voters identified "the economy and jobs" as their top concern, while 13% chose abortion, 11% selected immigration, 9% identified health care, and 8% cited climate change.

In the 2024 presidential election, young voters (18-29 years old) favored Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, 54% to 43%, making them the demographic with the highest support for the Democratic candidate, according to exit polls from CNN.  

Trump's protectionist approach to international trade, particularly his tariff threats, risks undermining the economic foundations that young Americans rely on. His plan to implement broad tariffs could act as "a poison pill" to globalization. Such measures would likely raise consumer prices and could trigger job losses while diminishing American influence in global markets.

North American economies are deeply interconnected. In 2023, the U.S. accounted for 75% of Canadian exports, including critical sectors like energy, agriculture and lumber. Meanwhile, 83% of Mexican exports — automobiles, electronics and agricultural products — are sent to U.S. consumers. Imposing steep tariffs against these key trading partners would not only harm their economies but could also make the U.S. appear unreliable as a trade partner and ally.

Moreover, the proposed tariffs would create barriers that hinder developing economies and specialized markets, regardless of the actual quality or value of their products. This short-sighted approach would erode the long-standing alliances the U.S. has cultivated, ultimately shrinking American economic influence instead of strengthening it.

Even more concerning for young people is Trump's hardline stance on immigration. His campaign rhetoric regarding mass deportation overlooks the complex realities of America's economic ecosystem. Agriculture, one of the nation's strongest sectors, relies heavily on immigrant labor. Mass deportation would disrupt this crucial industry and could trigger broader economic instability and social unrest, especially if the military becomes involved in its enforcement.

Moreover, the normalization of extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric in mainstream political discourse signals a troubling shift in the national conversation. Language that was once considered too radical for serious political debate has become commonplace, threatening the diverse fabric of American society, which has historically been a source of economic and cultural strength.

Beyond economic and immigration concerns, Trump's return to the White House also presents significant challenges to climate action. He has pledged to maximize fossil fuel production and withdraw from global climate agreements. He has also vowed to roll back many vehicle emissions standards and Biden-era regulations promoting electric vehicle production and adoption. These positions suggest the U.S. may abandon its key role in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While Trump's stance raises serious concerns, he alone cannot dictate America's future. In the U.S. system of governance, policy implementation requires collaboration across multiple administrative bodies and legislative approval, leaving the actual impact of his presidency uncertain.

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