Trump returns to tariffs, Panama Canal, theme of ‘winning’ in inaugural address

The inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday as the 47th president of the United States represents one of the greatest political comebacks in history as Trump, the only commander in chief with felony convictions, returns to power four years after his supporters stormed the Capitol building in a bid to prevent the peaceful transition of power.

Any thought that his second term might start on a more high-minded note was quickly brushed aside as he revisited long-standing grievances at the hands of the justice system and political enemies.

Trump’s comments also suggested a confrontational second-term start to relations with Beijing as he called out China for its role in operating the Panama Canal. Sole control of the strategic waterway returned to the Central American nation in 1999.

“We didn’t give it to China,” he said to applause during his inaugural address. “We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

At a press conference in early January, Trump refused to rule out the use of force to achieve this goal.

And despite the vast majority of economists who say his threatened tariffs of up to 60 per cent on Chinese and other imported goods will ultimately hurt American consumers, Trump vowed to impose more duties to restore an America that is “proud, prosperous and free”.