United States Trade Representative
Executive orders directing the United States Trade Representative · 46 in Trump 45 · 265 all terms.
Related departments
Orders
46 shown · Trump 45
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation removes the 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports from the United Arab Emirates, replacing it with a quota system negotiated as an alternative national security measure. The quota takes effect February 3, 2021, and amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule accordingly, while maintaining existing tariffs on aluminum from other countries.
To Continue Facilitating Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Large Residential Washers
This proclamation extends for two additional years a safeguard measure on imports of large residential washers and covered washer parts originally imposed in 2018. The extension maintains tariff-rate quotas with scheduled duty reductions in years four and five, while preserving exclusions for Canada and certain developing WTO member countries below import thresholds.
To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes
This proclamation reinstates the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a beneficiary country under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extends duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2021, extends Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act preferences to September 30, 2030, and modifies duties on certain goods to implement a tariff barrier agreement with the European Union.
The National Space Policy
This December 9, 2020 memorandum establishes a comprehensive National Space Policy that supersedes the 2010 Obama-era policy (PPD-4). It directs federal agencies to promote commercial space industry growth, strengthen the domestic space industrial base, ensure assured access to space, develop space nuclear power, improve cybersecurity for space systems, and advance international cooperation. The policy sets specific goals including returning Americans to the Moon by 2024 with sustained presence by 2028, and eventual human missions to Mars, while emphasizing protection of space assets and deterrence of hostile interference.
Protecting Jobs, Economic Opportunities, and National Security for All Americans by Ensuring Appropriate Support of Innovative Technologies for Using Our Domestic Natural Resources
This October 31, 2020 memorandum directs the Secretary of Energy to produce two reports within 70 days assessing the economic, trade, and national security impacts of banning or restricting hydraulic fracturing and related technologies. It also directs OMB to review agency compliance with Executive Order 13211 (energy effects statements for regulations) and identify priority agencies within 30 days.
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation reinstates Canada's exclusion from the 10 percent tariff on non-alloyed unwrought aluminum imports that had been re-imposed in August 2020, based on expected reduced export volumes from Canada. It establishes monthly quota-like monitoring thresholds for September-December 2020 and warns of potential retroactive tariff re-imposition if imports exceed 105 percent of those levels.
To Further Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells (Whether or Not Partially or Fully Assembled Into Other Products)
This proclamation modifies existing solar panel safeguard tariffs imposed in 2018 by: (1) revoking the exclusion for bifacial solar modules from safeguard duties, (2) raising the fourth-year safeguard tariff rate to 18 percent, and (3) authorizing the U.S. Trade Representative to request an ITC investigation on whether continued safeguards are needed. The tariff modifications take effect 15 days after October 10, 2020.
Delegation of Authority Under 15 U.S.C. 634c(b)(3)(B)
This memorandum delegates presidential authority under 15 U.S.C. 634c(b)(3)(B) to the United States Trade Representative. The provision relates to trade adjustment assistance for workers, firms, and communities affected by imports.
Addressing the Threat to the Domestic Supply Chain From Reliance on Critical Minerals From Foreign Adversaries and Supporting the Domestic Mining and Processing Industries
This executive order declares a national emergency over U.S. dependence on critical minerals from foreign adversaries, particularly China. It mandates multiple agency reports on supply chain vulnerabilities, directs faster permitting for domestic mining and processing, and tasks the Energy Secretary with revising loan guarantee rules to support domestic mineral supply chains.
Combating Public Health Emergencies and Strengthening National Security by Ensuring Essential Medicines, Medical Countermeasures, and Critical Inputs Are Made in the United States
This executive order directs federal agencies to prioritize domestic procurement of essential medicines, medical countermeasures, and their critical ingredients to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturing. It mandates supply chain vulnerability assessments, streamlines regulatory approvals for domestic producers, and authorizes use of the Defense Production Act to prioritize these materials. The order includes exceptions for public health emergencies and when domestic procurement would increase costs by more than 25 percent.
To Take Certain Actions Under the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act and for Other Purposes
This proclamation modifies the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) effective July 1, 2020, replacing NAFTA tariff treatment. It also makes technical corrections and updates rules of origin for existing free trade agreements with Singapore, Colombia, Korea, and Panama, and corrects prior inadvertent omissions in GSP-related tariff treatment for Thailand, Argentina, and Ukraine.
Establishment of the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force Under Section 741 of the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to monitor U.S. enforcement of the ban on importing goods made with forced labor under the Tariff Act of 1930. The Task Force includes representatives from State, Treasury, Justice, Labor, and USTR, and will make decisions by consensus or majority vote on actions under sections 742-744 of the USMCA Implementation Act.
Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth
This executive order directs federal agencies to reduce regulatory barriers for domestic fishing and aquaculture, combat illegal fishing, streamline permitting for offshore aquaculture projects, establish designated aquaculture zones, and develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy. It creates multiple task forces and deadlines across Commerce, Agriculture, Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies to expand U.S. seafood production and reduce reliance on imports.
Establishment of the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement Under Section 711 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement, co-chaired by the USTR and Secretary of Labor, to coordinate U.S. efforts in monitoring labor obligations of Canada and Mexico under the USMCA trade agreement and Mexico's labor reform, and to recommend enforcement actions. The Committee includes representatives from seven agencies plus optional additional participants, operates by consensus, and requires each agency to fund its own participation with DOL specifically funding a required hotline.
Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector
This executive order establishes a formal interagency committee to review foreign participation in U.S. telecommunications, giving the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security a structured process to assess national security risks in FCC licenses and applications. The Committee can recommend that the FCC deny, condition, modify, or revoke licenses based on these security reviews.
Establishment of the Interagency Environment Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement Under Section 811 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes an Interagency Environment Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement to coordinate U.S. efforts to monitor and enforce environmental obligations under the USMCA trade agreement, specifically assessing Mexico's and Canada's environmental laws and policies and requesting enforcement actions when needed. The Committee is chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative and includes representatives from 10 federal agencies plus optional additional agencies.
Establishment of the Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods Under Section 202A of the United States Mexico Canada Agreement Implementation Act
This executive order establishes an Interagency Committee on Trade in Automotive Goods to advise on implementing USMCA automotive provisions, including rules of origin and an alternative staging regime. The Committee is chaired by USTR and includes Commerce, Labor, USITC, CBP, and Treasury, with authority to make recommendations by consensus or majority vote.
Ensuring Safe and Lawful E-Commerce for United States Consumers, Businesses, Government Supply Chains, and Intellectual Property Rights Holders
This executive order targets e-commerce channels used to import counterfeit goods, narcotics (especially fentanyl), and other contraband through small express-carrier and international mail packages. It establishes new criteria for obtaining importer of record numbers, requires express carriers and customs brokers to report debarred persons attempting to re-establish business, creates a compliance scoring system for international postal services with escalating consequences for non-compliance, mandates prioritized prosecution of import violations, and requires analysis of whether CBP fees adequately cover inspection costs.
Adjusting Imports of Derivative Aluminum Articles and Derivative Steel Articles Into the United States
This proclamation expands existing Section 232 tariffs on aluminum (10%) and steel (25%) to cover derivative articles—specific downstream products like steel nails, aluminum wire/cables, and auto body stampings—effective February 8, 2020. The action aims to prevent circumvention of the original 2018 tariffs by foreign producers who had shifted to exporting finished derivative products instead of raw metals.
Reforming Developing-Country Status in the World Trade Organization
This memorandum directs the U.S. Trade Representative to push for WTO reforms to stop self-declared developing countries—particularly advanced economies like China—from receiving unjustified special trade flexibilities. If insufficient progress occurs within 90 days, the USTR must stop treating such countries as developing countries for WTO purposes and may oppose their OECD membership, while also publishing a list of targeted countries.
Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products
This executive order directs federal agencies to modernize regulations for agricultural biotechnology products, streamline oversight across USDA, EPA, and FDA, and promote both domestic public acceptance and international trade of genetically engineered crops and animals. It mandates specific plans for regulatory streamlining, a unified web-based platform for developers, consumer engagement strategies, and international trade barrier removal.
Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States
This proclamation declares that imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts threaten U.S. national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. It directs the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate agreements with the European Union, Japan, and other countries to address this threat, with a progress report due in 180 days, while keeping tariffs in reserve if negotiations fail.
Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain
This executive order declares a national emergency to block U.S. transactions involving information and communications technology from foreign adversaries when the Commerce Secretary determines they pose undue risks to national security, critical infrastructure, or the digital economy. It delegates broad authority to Commerce to prohibit or mitigate such transactions and requires intelligence and security assessments on foreign technology threats.
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation expands the Secretary of Commerce's authority to grant exclusions from quantitative limitations (quotas) on aluminum imports under Section 232, mirroring existing tariff exclusion authority. It also amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement these changes, maintains existing 10% tariffs and quota levels, establishes procedures for quota exclusion requests, and creates an export certification framework for countries with quota arrangements. The modifications take effect August 30, 2018.
Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
This proclamation modifies the Section 232 steel tariffs and quotas by authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to grant relief from quantitative limitations (quotas) on steel imports under two tracks: (1) general exclusions for lack of domestic production capacity or national security reasons, similar to existing tariff exclusion authority; and (2) expedited relief for pre-contracted steel used in U.S. facility construction where quotas have already filled, provided contracts were signed before March 8, 2018 and steel enters by March 31, 2019. It also makes technical amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and maintains the existing 25% tariff rate.
Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect to Iran
This executive order reimposes U.S. sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), following President Trump's May 8, 2018 decision to withdraw from that agreement. It authorizes blocking sanctions, financial account restrictions, and menu-based penalties targeting Iran's energy, shipping, automotive, and financial sectors, as well as human rights abusers, with staggered effective dates starting August 7, 2018 and November 5, 2018.
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation permanently exempts Argentina and Australia from the 10% aluminum tariff imposed under Section 232, replacing the tariff with quantitative import quotas for Argentina. It extends the tariff to Brazil, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, and EU member countries starting June 1, 2018, after their temporary exemptions expire. The proclamation amends prior proclamations and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to implement these changes.
Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
This proclamation permanently excludes Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea from the 25% steel tariff imposed in March 2018, replacing the tariff with country-specific annual quantitative limits on steel imports. It also amends prior proclamations and HTSUS provisions to implement these quotas and adds new quarterly surge limits effective July 1, 2018.
Actions by the United States Related to the Section 301 Investigation of China's Laws, Policies, Practices, or Actions Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation
This memorandum directs the U.S. Trade Representative to impose tariffs on Chinese goods under Section 301 findings that China engages in forced technology transfer, discriminatory licensing restrictions, state-directed acquisition of U.S. technology companies, and cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property. It also mandates WTO dispute settlement action and Treasury-led investment restrictions targeting Chinese acquisitions in sensitive U.S. industries, with reporting deadlines within 15 and 60 days.
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation temporarily exempts Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, and EU member countries from a 10 percent aluminum tariff imposed on March 23, 2018, while continuing trade negotiations. The exemptions expire at 12:01 a.m. EDT on May 1, 2018, unless satisfactory alternative arrangements are reached. The proclamation also amends tariff exclusion procedures and directs the U.S. Trade Representative to advise on preventing transshipment from exempted countries.
Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
This proclamation temporarily exempts Australia, Argentina, South Korea, Brazil, and EU member countries from the 25 percent steel tariffs imposed on March 8, 2018, while continuing trade negotiations. The exemptions expire on May 1, 2018, unless satisfactory alternative arrangements are reached. It also amends tariff schedules and adds provisions for case-by-case exclusion relief.
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States
This proclamation imposes a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports under Section 232 national security authority, effective March 23, 2018, with exemptions for Canada and Mexico pending ongoing negotiations. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to grant product exclusions based on insufficient domestic supply or national security considerations.
Adjusting Imports of Steel Into the United States
This proclamation imposes a 25% tariff on steel imports from most countries under Section 232 national security authority, effective March 23, 2018, with exemptions for Canada and Mexico pending ongoing negotiations. It also establishes an exclusion process for steel articles not sufficiently produced domestically.
To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells (Whether or Not Partially or Fully Assembled Into Other Products) and for Other Purposes
This proclamation imposes four-year safeguard tariffs on imported crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) solar cells and modules, including a tariff-rate quota on cells and increased duties on modules, following an ITC finding of serious injury to domestic producers. It also excludes certain developing WTO countries below import thresholds, establishes procedures for product exclusions, and makes technical corrections to Argentina's GSP beneficiary status.
To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to Competition From Imports of Large Residential Washers
This proclamation imposes safeguard tariffs and tariff-rate quotas on imported large residential washers and certain washer parts for 3 years plus 1 day, following an ITC finding of serious injury to domestic industry. Canada is excluded entirely; Mexico and most WTO developing countries are initially excluded but subject to surge monitoring. The measure takes effect February 7, 2018.
To Take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes
This proclamation reinstates The Gambia and Swaziland as beneficiary countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extends duty-free access for Israeli agricultural products through December 31, 2018, makes technical modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to implement CAFTA-DR obligations and correct prior omissions, suspends certain GSP benefits for Ukraine due to intellectual property concerns, and reinstates Argentina's GSP beneficiary status.
A Federal Strategy To Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals
This executive order directs the federal government to identify critical minerals essential to U.S. economic and national security, then develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce reliance on foreign sources by expanding domestic mining, improving geological data access, streamlining permitting, and advancing recycling and alternative technologies.
Addressing China's Laws, Policies, Practices, and Actions Related to Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Technology
This memorandum directs the U.S. Trade Representative to determine whether to launch an investigation under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 into China's laws, policies, and practices related to intellectual property, innovation, and technology transfer. The document frames these Chinese policies as threats to American economic interests, innovation, and jobs, but does not itself impose any tariffs or trade actions—it only initiates a decision-making process about a potential investigation.
Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure
This executive order mandates federal agencies to adopt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and modernize IT infrastructure, while directing multiple cabinet departments to assess and report on cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure, deterrence strategies, international cooperation, and workforce development. It establishes accountability for agency heads in managing cybersecurity risk and requires extensive reports on federal IT modernization, botnet resilience, electricity grid vulnerabilities, and defense industrial base risks.
Addressing Trade Agreement Violations and Abuses
This executive order directs comprehensive performance reviews of all U.S. trade and investment agreements, plus WTO trade relations with countries where the U.S. has significant goods deficits. The reviews must identify violations, abuses, unfair treatment, and failures to meet economic goals, with a report due in 180 days to guide potential renegotiation or termination of agreements deemed harmful to American workers, manufacturers, and intellectual property.
Buy American and Hire American
This executive order establishes a dual policy to maximize domestic procurement preferences under existing Buy American laws and to rigorously enforce immigration laws governing foreign workers, particularly the H-1B visa program. It mandates multiple agency assessments and reports on procurement practices and trade agreement impacts, while directing immigration agencies to propose new rules protecting U.S. workers and reforming H-1B visa allocation toward higher-skilled or higher-paid beneficiaries.
Organization of the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Subcommittees
This National Security Presidential Memorandum reorganizes the National Security Council (NSC) and Homeland Security Council (HSC) structures under the Trump administration, establishing clear membership rules for the NSC, HSC, Principals Committee, Deputies Committee, and Policy Coordination Committees. It revokes the prior NSC organization memo (NSPM-2) from January 2017 and consolidates decision-making authority under the National Security Advisor while formally integrating the HSC into a unified staff structure.
Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Laws
This executive order directs federal agencies to strengthen collection of unpaid antidumping and countervailing duties on imports, develop risk-based bonding requirements for importers with poor compliance records, enhance enforcement against customs and trade law violations including counterfeit goods, and prioritize prosecution of trade-related offenses. It responds to $2.3 billion in uncollected duties as of 2015.
Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits
This executive order directs the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative, within 90 days, to produce a comprehensive report identifying countries with significant U.S. trade deficits in goods and analyzing the causes and effects of those deficits. The report must assess unfair trade practices, impacts on manufacturing and defense industrial bases, employment effects, and national security risks from imports.
Organization of the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council
This National Security Presidential Memorandum reorganizes the National Security Council (NSC) and Homeland Security Council (HSC), establishing their membership rosters, the Principals Committee, Deputies Committee, and Policy Coordination Committees. It elevates the White House Chief Strategist to regular attendance at NSC/PC meetings, merges NSC and HSC staff under a single Executive Office of the President structure, and replaces the Obama-era Presidential Policy Directives and Presidential Study Directives system with National Security Presidential Memoranda.
Withdrawal of the United States From the Trans- Pacific Partnership Negotiations and Agreement
This memorandum directs the U.S. Trade Representative to formally withdraw the United States as a signatory to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and permanently exit TPP negotiations, shifting U.S. trade policy toward bilateral rather than multilateral trade agreements.