A week has passed since Donald Trump was re-elected as President of the United States, ushering in the Trump 2.0 era. This outcome has sparked a wave of concern across the human rights and responsible business community.
Many articles and posts have been shared since then, voicing frustrations and anxieties about the road ahead. And for good reason: Trump’s second term is expected to have negative consequences for trade, climate action, immigration policy, antitrust regulations, gender equity, indigenous rights, and the rule of law. As it was noted in a recent Business & Human Rights Resource Centre opinion piece, some of these impacts are predictable; others are bound to surprise us.
But while the challenges are real and daunting, this is not the time to buckle down. It’s a moment for the Business and Human Rights (BHR) community—spanning private sector professionals, NGOs, governmental organizations, advisors, and more—to double down on our efforts.
Rising expectations for responsible business
Over the years, expectations for responsible business practices have taken root globally, and they won’t vanish overnight. As Alison Taylor from NYU Stern recently highlighted, the passion for responsible business and human rights won’t dissipate; it will simply find new outlets. In fact, much of this energy may shift toward the private sector, raising expectations for sustainable practices.
Now, more than ever, we need business leaders to step up as advocates for human rights and environmental sustainability. Ignoring these issues doesn’t make them disappear. Businesses are already confronted with the reality of climate disruptions, labor strikes for better working conditions, and the reputational and financial costs of ineffective risk management.
So, isn’t it better to tackle these issues proactively instead of playing hide and seek?
Building resilience and reaffirm our shared humanity
At CORE, we firmly believe that businesses are better served by embracing sustainability and human rights risk management as integral to their operations. This means:
- Investing in your workforce: In an increasingly competitive talent market, treating employees well isn’t optional.
- Strengthening supply chains: Building collaborations with suppliers and communities to create trusted relationships, and consequently reduce disruptions.
- Adopting long-term resilience strategies: Proactively addressing environmental and human rights challenges ensures a stronger, more resilient business model.
By tackling these challenges head-on, businesses can contribute to meaningful solutions and position themselves as leaders in a turbulent era. The risks are real, but so are the opportunities—to innovate, collaborate, and reaffirm our shared humanity.
The Trump 2.0 era may present obstacles, but it also reinforces the urgency of our mission. Let’s turn this energy into impactful action.
Stephanie for the CORE team
