Analysis: Trump's 646 Deregulatory Actions Eclipsed by His Own Tariff Disruption

A Washington Times analysis published April 9 found that President Trump's 646 deregulatory actions since taking office — among the most sweeping in a modern presidential first term — were being overshadowed in economic impact by his own tariffs, trade restrictions, and executive orders. The report noted that while deregulation was producing measurable gains in sectors such as energy, financial services, and technology, the cumulative uncertainty and cost-pass-through of tariff policy was masking those gains and creating net headwinds for business investment and consumer prices. The analysis comes as Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs continue at 50% and secondary tariffs target countries supplying Iran with weapons.