Trade Directives

Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry and Amending Executive Order 14241

This executive order prioritizes the revitalization of the American coal industry, emphasizing its role in national security and economic prosperity.

It directs federal agencies to remove regulatory obstacles to coal production, increase domestic coal use, and promote coal exports.

The order also seeks to incorporate coal more broadly into other sectors, such as powering artificial intelligence data centers and supplying the steel industry.

Multiple agencies are tasked with implementing these changes.

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Review of Proposed United States Steel Corporation Acquisition

President Biden issued a memorandum ordering the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to conduct a thorough review of Nippon Steel's proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel.

This action, based on concerns about potential national security risks, mandates a de novo review by CFIUS, which must submit a recommendation within 45 days on whether proposed mitigation measures are sufficient.

The President's order builds upon a prior prohibition of the acquisition and reserves the right to take further action if deemed necessary.

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Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports

This presidential action amends previous orders to address the synthetic opioid crisis fueled by imports from China.

It eliminates the duty-free de minimis exemption for certain products from China, imposing either a 30% ad valorem or tiered specific duty on items valued under $800, depending on the method chosen by the transporter and enforced by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The order requires carriers to remit duties to CBP and mandates a 90-day report assessing the action's impact on American industries.

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Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits

President Trump declared a national emergency due to substantial and persistent US goods trade deficits, citing a lack of reciprocity in trade relationships, unfair trade practices by other countries and the negative impacts on US economic and national security.

The President issued an executive order imposing an initial 10% ad valorem duty on all imports, with higher duties for specific countries based on their trade practices.

The order included provisions for exceptions, modification based on later developments and reporting requirements to Congress.

This action aims to restore balance in global trade and strengthen domestic production.

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Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market

Published: Tue 1st Apr 25

This presidential order aims to curb unfair practices within the live concert and entertainment industries.

It addresses ticket scalping and price gouging, directing the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission to enforce existing competition laws and the Better Online Tickets Sales Act.

The order also mandates price transparency in the ticket-buying process and requires a report within 180 days on the actions taken and necessary recommendations regarding future regulations or legislation.

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Establishing the United States Investment Accelerator

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order establishing the United States Investment Accelerator within the Department of Commerce.

This office will streamline regulatory processes for investments exceeding $1 billion, aiming to attract significant domestic and foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.

The Accelerator will work with various agencies and state governments to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and foster collaborations with national labs.

The order emphasizes the need to modernize investment processes to improve the U.S. economic competitiveness.

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President Trump's March 27, 2025 executive order excludes numerous federal agencies and subdivisions from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.

The order claims this exclusion is necessary for national security reasons, impacting intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.

It amends Executive Order 12171 and delegates authority to the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation to make further exclusions.

The order also requires a review of agencies not currently excluded and mandates changes to related employee assignments and grievance processes.

Excluded agencies and subdivisions primarily serve roles within the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Homeland Security, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, as well as several independent agencies.

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Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Autombile Parts Into the United States

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation in March 2025 imposing a 25% tariff on imported automobiles and certain auto parts.

The action, justified under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, aims to address national security concerns stemming from vulnerabilities in domestic automotive supply chains and perceived unfair trade practices by foreign competitors.

The proclamation cites the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption of supply chains, the decline in domestic automobile manufacturing, and the rise of foreign automotive industries supported by subsidies and aggressive industrial policies.

While the proclamation offers provisions for USMCA-qualifying vehicles and for a process to modify the tariffs, it represents a significant intervention in the automotive market, with potential economic and geopolitical implications.

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