Key points

• Because of the substantial policy autonomy and legal independence of American states, the outcome of state-federal conflicts will shape the Trump administration’s policy impacts and legacy, especially in areas such as environmental/climate change policy, immigration and marijuana legalisation.
• The execution of Trump administration policies on climate change and undocumented immigration will largely depend on legal challenges from Democratic state governments.
• A group of progressive and conservative states has been successful in convincing the Trump administration to abandon marijuana prosecutions in states, allowing medical or recreational use.
• The next Supreme Court appointee will play an important role in determining how a range of lawsuits contesting the administration’s policy agenda are settled.
• Australia should focus on potential partnerships and common areas of concern with US states, rather than simply relying on diplomatic engagement with the White House.
• There are opportunities for Australian jurisdictions to pursue climate partnerships with US state and city officials, in lieu of US federal government action.