Trump Card Spotlight: Climate Policy

The Trump Administration will significantly shift the U.S. approach to international climate policy.

• Reversing Biden’s agenda: President Biden prioritized climate issues, collaborating with world leaders and passing legislation to benefit the global economy. Trump plans to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act—which is projected to yield over $5 trillion in global economic benefits by reducing climate pollution by 2050—and roll back measures like the Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing carbon pollution from power plants.

• Au revoir, Paris Agreement: Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on his first day in office, signaling U.S. commitment to climate leadership. Trump is expected to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement for the second time, criticizing it for imposing economic burdens on the U.S. 

• America First, climate last: Trump has called climate change a “hoax” and pledged to roll back environmental regulations and clean energy investments. His ‘America First’ approach signals a retreat from U.S. climate leadership, potentially encouraging other nations to relax their own commitments.

• Anti-climate cabinet: Trump’s cabinet nominees will likely aim to undo Biden’s regulatory policies, open protected lands to drilling and reduce cooperation on clean energy investments abroad.

• All hope isn’t lost: Trump’s presidency could galvanize other nations and non-state actors to intensify their climate efforts. Countries like China and the European Union may take on more prominent roles in global climate diplomacy. Additionally, subnational actors within the U.S., including state and city leaders, are expected to continue pursuing ambitious climate goals independently of federal policy.

Trump's presidency is likely to reshape international climate diplomacy, presenting both challenges and opportunities for global climate action. The impact will depend on the administration's policies and the responses of the international community and domestic stakeholders.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s views of agriculture and food, especially regarding vegetable oils and corn syrup, could impact voters in rural America. Our Food and Ag team reports that a national debate over high-fructose corn syrup might reduce its use, squeezing farmers already facing tight margins. Kennedy has also been critical of federal crop subsidies, genetic engineering and the broad use of pesticides.

Still, many rural voters trust President-elect Trump to protect their agricultural interests, which could shield him from criticism and aid Kennedy in implementing his plans. In contrast, a poll from Axios reveals most Americans distrust President-elect Trump and RFK Jr. on health issues despite some agreement with his views on food safety and nutrition.

Although Kennedy has been outspoken on matters related to agriculture, Trump chose Brooke Rollins to lead the Department of Agriculture, blindsiding Kennedy’s team, according to the Wall Street Journal. Kennedy’s team is privately concerned that Rollins' political background will make her reluctant to push for radical changes in the food and agriculture industry. 

Unlike Kennedy, Rollins has taken few public stances on ag policy and the industry and has not yet endorsed Kennedy’s positions. As Secretary of Agriculture, Rollins will have to balance traditional political positions and interests with Kennedy’s agenda, which includes the now infamous slogan “Make America Healthy Again.” Meanwhile, Yahoo! News reports the U.S. agriculture industry is already meeting with the Trump transition team on topics like the president-elect's pledges regarding tariffs and immigration.

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Editorial boards’ perspectives can be influential for key audiences, such as policymakers, regulators, investors, consumers and reporters, and editorial board meetings are a useful tactic for impacting their opinions and commentary. Our colleagues from the Health Media Insights team pulled together an introductory guide to help you and your organization make the most of editorial board meetings. 

• What is an editorial board meeting? An editorial board meeting is a prearranged session—sometimes as brief as 30 minutes—during which members of the board meet with an individual or an organization’s leaders to help inform their opinions. While virtual meetings are an option, in-person meetings can be more dynamic and engaging.

• Why is it useful? Editorial board meetings can influence how the outlet will discuss your organization, related issues or the broader industry in its opinion section. Meetings also offer the opportunity to build relationships with members of an outlet’s editorial team and, in some cases, beat reporters.

• Who attends? The composition of editorial boards varies widely by publication and any subset of the board may opt to attend based on their interests. Some outlets may also invite reporters—such as a beat reporter covering your organization or related issues more broadly—to attend a meeting, but others maintain strict firewalls between their newsrooms and editorial boards.

• How should you prepare? For the most influential outlets, offering time with the relevant member of the C-suite is ideal, so check calendars in advance to make sure that’s possible. Consider bringing additional subject matter experts for optional support. Come armed with a clear, compelling and timely opinion you want the board to consider. Familiarize yourself with the board members, particularly those with relevant experience. And finally, set the terms of the meeting (such as what will be on or off the record) in advance.

Keep in mind: Every editorial board is slightly different, and there is no way to fully control who will attend or what subjects they may wish to discuss. Come prepared for tough questions on a broad range of issues.

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