Trump’s Major Presidential Actions & What Experts Say

List of Executive Orders

Executive Order: Establishing The National Energy Dominance Council (February 14, 2025)

This order establishes the National Energy Dominance Council to maximize U.S. energy production. The council is tasked with advising the president on strategies for deregulation and comprehensive energy production plans.

Click here for the executive order and the fact sheet.

Comment
This Executive Order establishes the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, which includes Cabinet officials and key White House advisors. To align the energy strategy with US strategic priorities, the Interior Secretary has also been elevated to the National Security Council. NEDC’s mandate is to “expand all forms of reliable and affordable energy production to drive down inflation”, grow the US economy, create jobs, reestablish American manufacturing leadership, lead the world in AI, and “restore peace through strength” by wielding US commercial and diplomatic levers to “end wars across the world”. A major focus is oil and gas, but the NEDC is also tasked to expand the discovery and use of uranium, biofuels, geothermal heat, and critical minerals. Within 100 days, the NEDC has been ordered to provide Trump with a “National Energy Dominance Strategy” that reduces regulations and facilitates greater private-sector energy investments. This is a key pillar of Trump’s economic plan: reducing US dependence on foreign energy imports, growing the economy, and enabling deficit and debt reduction. Importantly, lowering the cost of energy is also one of the ways Trump aims to lower inflation. But the national security implications are equally interesting: Trump wants US allies to purchase more US oil and gas, and also to use cheaper energy prices as leverage against Russia to bring an end to the Ukraine war. At the same time, however, cheaper energy will benefit China, potentially impacting Trump’s strategy to drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing. (Andrew Capistrano)

Executive Order: Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative (February 11, 2025)

This executive order directs the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to implement workforce reduction measures across federal agencies. The order mandates that for every four retirements, only one new hire will be permitted—except for critical roles such as public safety. It also requires agencies to coordinate hiring plans with DOGE and to review, streamline job qualification standards, and downsize low-priority plans.
Click here for the executive order.

Comment
The DOGE, established through the January 20 executive order—effectively reorganizing the Office of Digital Services created under the Obama administration—, has now begun to take concrete action. One of its first major steps has been cutting executive branch expenditures, including a reduction in USAID’s budget. To support DOGE’s efforts to reduce personnel costs, the government has imposed a hiring freeze, allowing just one new hire for every four retirements. In addition, DOGE has been granted access to the Treasury Department’s accounting system, enabling it to oversee salary levels. As a result, early retirements have surged, leading to operational disruptions across the federal government.
A particularly concerning development is the staffing reductions at the Department of Energy, which oversees nuclear security. If key personnel losses continue, there is a risk that nuclear material management could be compromised. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security (February 10, 2025)

This executive order temporarily suspends enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for 180 days and directs the Attorney General to review ongoing investigations. The administration argues that excessive enforcement of the FCPA is undermining the global competitiveness of U.S. companies and negatively affecting national security.
Click here for the executive order and fact sheet.

Comment
The FCPA, enacted in 1977 following the Watergate scandal and the Lockheed bribery scandals——which led to the arrest of former Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka—prohibits bribery of foreign officials. The law has broad extraterritorial reach, applying even to foreign companies when they use their U.S. subsidiaries or use U.S. banks for acts in concern. Since his first administration, President Trump has criticized the “excessive” and “unpredictable” enforcement of the FCPA against U.S. companies. This executive order reflects his long-standing position. Although the order only temporarily suspends enforcement, a memorandum issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi on February 5 states that future FCPA investigations will focus on cartel-related and transnational criminal activities. Some speculate that once the suspension is lifted, the FCPA may be selectively enforced in line with “America First” principles—meaning U.S. authorities may prioritize investigations of foreign firms rather than U.S. companies. (Yusuke Ishikawa)

Executive Order: Ending Procurement And Forced Use of Paper Straws (February 10, 2025)

This executive order halts federal procurement and distribution of paper straws and calls for a nationwide plan to phase them out within 45 days. The aim is to reverse the previous policy that prioritized paper straws over plastic ones.
Click here for the executive order and fact sheet.

Comment
The movement to ban plastic straws gained momentum as part of efforts to combat marine plastic waste. In 2021, the Biden administration issued an order mandating the use of paper straws in federal facilities. This new order repeals that mandate. The original push for paper straws was fueled by viral images—such as a turtle with a straw stuck in its nose—that sparked public outrage. However, this move was unpopular even among many environmentalists—partly because they had failed to address the broader scope of the problem and had reduced the issue to plastic straws only. Among the Trump administration’s various executive orders, this one has garnered unexpected public support. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Addressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africa (February 7, 2025)

This executive order addresses multiple concerns regarding the South African government, including its policy of expropriating farmland owned by Afrikaners (a minority ethnic group predominantly of Dutch descent) without compensation, its decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, and its growing ties with Iran. In response, the order commands the suspension of financial aid to South Africa and the provision of support for the resettlement of Afrikaner refugees.
Click here for the executive order and fact sheet.

Comment
Since the end of apartheid in 1990, South Africa has been governed by the African National Congress (ANC), with the Black majority holding political power. Some white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, have opposed policies aimed at improving the social and economic status of the Black population. One prominent critic is Elon Musk, who wields significant influence within the Trump administration. Musk claims that Afrikaners are being persecuted and stripped of their rights. However, in reality, Afrikaners—who once constituted the ruling elite—remain a wealthy economic class, and efforts to improve the social status of the Black population are still ongoing. Despite this, the executive order appears to be based largely on Musk’s arguments. Notably, the fact sheet justifies it as a human rights measure, framing the Afrikaners as a persecuted minority. This approach is particularly interesting as an example of how the Trump administration employs human rights rhetoric to support its policies.　(Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations, and Reviewing U.S. Support to All International Organizations (February 4, 2025)

This executive order mandates the withdrawal of the United States from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and prohibits future funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also instructs the Secretary of State to review international organizations, treaties, and agreements that conflict with U.S. interests and report findings to the President. The order specifically prioritizes a review of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing concerns over its alleged antisemitic stance.

Details are here.

Comment
This executive order, following the earlier withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Trump’s first day of his second term, marks another retreat from engagement with UN organizations. All three organizations targeted by this order are known for their support of Palestine, aligning this decision with the Trump administration’s pro-Israel stance. Notably, the order was issued on February 4, the same day Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, suggesting a deliberate show of support for Israel.
Regarding UNESCO, the order does not call for immediate withdrawal but rather a review of U.S. membership. However, given that the U.S. previously withdrew from UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 and again during Trump’s first term in 2017, it is highly likely this will lead to a third withdrawal. Such a move raises concerns that China, which maintains strong ties with UNESCO, could further expand its influence within the organization. (Kenichi Doi)

Executive Order: A Plan for Establishing a United States Sovereign Wealth Fund (February 3, 2025)

This order directs the Secretary of the Treasury and Commerce to develop a plan for establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund for the United States.

Click here for the executive order and the fact sheet.

Comment
This Executive Order stems from Trump’s interest in the sovereign wealth funds of other nations. He sees them as mechanisms to amplify the financial return to a nation’s assets, and—since investing national assets can lead to greater long-term wealth generation—to leverage those returns for strategic benefit. The sovereign wealth fund’s stated purpose is to “maximize the stewardship of [US] national wealth for the sole benefit of American citizens” by promoting fiscal sustainability, “establishing economic security for future generations”, and promoting US economic and strategic leadership internationally. Within 90 days, the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce will send Trump a plan that will include recommendations for funding mechanisms, investment strategies, fund structure, and a governance model. The US federal government directly holds $5.7 trillion in assets, not including natural resource reserves. If these assets can generate returns the way Trump envisions, the sovereign wealth fund could be a success. And the idea fits into Trump’s other economic policies, since he believes fair and balanced trade, national energy dominance, and tax and regulatory relief will spur growth, thereby creating revenue streams. These revenues could then be invested in what Trump calls “great national endeavors”, such as advanced manufacturing, technological research, and other priorities that private capital will avoid since they require a long wait between investment and returns. In this sense, Trump sees the sovereign wealth fund as another means for the US to bolster its competitiveness for the future. (Andrew Capistrano)

Executive Order: Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border (February 1, 2025)

This executive order imposes an additional 25% tariff (10% for energy-related products) on all imports from Canada, effective February 4, 2025, citing Canada’s role as a hub for smuggling drugs like fentanyl and its inadequate response to the problem. However, after the Canadian government announced measures to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, the Trump administration announced on February 3, 2025, that the tariffs would be temporarily suspended until March 4.
Click here for the executive order, the fact sheet, and an additional executive order.

Comment
In Trump’s first term, border control efforts focused primarily on the southern border. However, the second administration contends that drug cartels and smugglers have shifted operations to the northern border, exploiting its more relaxed security. This prompted the executive order imposing a 25% tariff (10% for energy products) on all Canadian imports.
Following Canada’s pledge to implement new measures just before the tariffs were to take effect, a 30-day grace period was granted. If tangible results are not evident within this period, the tariffs may be enforced. Additionally, the de minimis rule, which exempts tariffs on low-value imports, will not apply—meaning even small transactions, including those between individuals, will be subject to these duties. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border (February 1, 2025)

This executive order imposes an additional 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico, effective February 4, 2025, citing Mexico’s failure to sufficiently combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the U.S. However, following Mexico’s recent efforts to address these issues, the Trump administration announced on February 3, 2025, that the tariffs would be temporarily suspended until March 4.
Click here for the executive order, the fact sheet and an additional executive order.

Comment
Since his first term, President Trump has advocated for stronger security along the southern border. While his earlier focus was on constructing a physical barrier to deter illegal immigration, the surge in border crossings during the Biden administration has shifted the strategy towards pressuring the Mexican government to intercept migrants before they reach the U.S.
In tandem with efforts to push the Mexican government to take action on drug trafficking, this executive order imposes a 25% tariff on all Mexican imports. Given the integrated supply chains established under the USMCA free trade agreement, using tariffs to disrupt trade relations could be seen as a strong form of economic coercion. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: The Iron Dome for America (January 27, 2025)

This Executive Order mandates the deployment and maintenance of next-generation missile defense systems. It requires a comprehensive report on system design and planning within 60 days and emphasizes strengthening missile defense cooperation with allied countries.
Details are here.

Comment
Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. has developed missile defense systems to protect its forward-deployed forces and allies from short- and medium-range missile threats, as well as a homeland defense system against nuclear threats from rogue states such as North Korea. However, it has refrained from developing missile defense systems specifically targeting the strategic nuclear arsenals of China and Russia due to technological and financial challenges, as well as concerns over destabilizing mutual nuclear deterrence.
The missile defense measures mandated by this executive order suggest a renewed focus on systems designed to counter the strategic nuclear arsenals of China and Russia. This shift comes against the backdrop of China’s expanding and modernizing nuclear arsenal, Russia’s growing unpredictability—now classified as a “rogue state”—which has undermined previous arms control frameworks built on mutual understanding, and North Korea’s advancements in strategic nuclear capabilities. (Hirohito Ogi)

Executive Order: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (January 23, 2025)

This Executive Order rescinds existing artificial intelligence (AI) policy restrictions and directs the development of a national action plan within 180 days to maintain and enhance America’s global leadership in AI.
Details are here.

Comment
The Biden administration sought to balance fostering innovation and AI adoption—particularly in generative AI models—with addressing associated risks. Executive Order 14110, Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, issued in October 2023, aimed to ensure AI safety and trustworthiness by imposing minimal regulations on AI developers while allowing the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish non-binding guidelines.
In contrast, the Trump administration’s new order prioritizes strengthening U.S. dominance in AI. It suspends, modifies, or withdraws policies under EO 14110 that are deemed inconsistent with its objectives. At the same time, it makes no provisions for addressing AI-related risks. With the government stepping back from AI risk management, key questions remain: How will the U.S. address potential dangers? How will the industry respond? And what impact will this have on international rulemaking for AI development and use? (Kota Umeda)

Executive Order: Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China (January 20, 2025)

This executive order enacts an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China, effective February 4, 2025, citing the Chinese government’s insufficient efforts to curb the illegal influx of synthetic opioids, which threaten U.S. national security and public health.
Click here for the executive order and the fact sheet.

Comment
Throughout his campaign, President Trump vowed to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China as part of his strategic trade policy, aiming to pressure these governments to address issues related to illegal drugs, including fentanyl and opioids. While the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are set at 25% due to broader concerns, including illegal immigration, the tariff on China is limited to 10%, focusing solely on drug-related issues.
Negotiations with Canada and Mexico have resulted in a one-month grace period, but talks with China have failed, leading to immediate enforcement of this order. This tariff is separate from the proposed 60% tariff aimed at addressing the trade deficit with China, which is expected to be imposed after a report is released on April 1, as outlined in the memorandum on the America First Trade Policy issued on January 20. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness (January 20, 2025)

The Executive Order restores the former name of Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to McKinley and renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to implement these changes within 30 days.
Details are here.

Comment
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America is a move that really characterizes the ”Florida administration,” which the Trump administration is also known as. Elon Musk, a close friend of Trump, is also based in Texas, where his Starship launch site is in Boca Chica, facing the newly renamed “Gulf of America.” All the states bordering this gulf are Republican strongholds, making this renaming a symbolic gesture that appeals to American pride without introducing any substantive policy changes.
Reverting Denali’s name to Mount McKinley aligns with Trump’s broader ideological stance. McKinley’s era was defined by protectionism, imperial expansion, and high tariffs—elements that resonate with Trump’s own economic policies.This move is also seen as a denial of “DEI” (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), as the name was honoring the culture of Alaska’s indigenous people. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (January 20, 2025)

This executive order mandates the restructuring of government agencies and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A temporary organization will operate for approximately 18 months, until July 4, 2026, tasked with streamlining government operations.
Details are here.

Comment
Trump’s stance has never aligned with the libertarian ideal of “small government,” a position that initially made him unpopular at libertarian gatherings. However, during his campaign, he forged a close alliance with Elon Musk, whose businesses stood to benefit from a Trump presidency. This encouraged many tech companies to express their support for Trump. They found regulation under the Biden administration too strict and disadvantageous to big corporations– curbing federal oversight is pursued under the Trump administration.
The concept of DOGE predates the birth of the second Trump administration. Having originally been introduced outside the government, it joined the government by renaming the U.S. Digital Service—incorporated under the Obama administration—to the U.S. DOGE Service. While Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (a former Republican primary candidate) were initially considered to lead this initiative, Ramaswamy’s controversial reputation led Trump to remove him from the project—reportedly by encouraging him to run for governor of Illinois instead. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Executive Order: Reevaluating and Realizing United States Foreign Aid (January 20, 2025)

This Executive Order mandates a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance, during which all aid programs will be reviewed to ensure alignment with U.S. interests.
Details are here.

Comment
The suspension of foreign aid has taken effect immediately. All the programs except for foreign military financing to Israel and Egypt and emergency food assistance will be suspended for 90 to180 days. After the reviewings, many of the programs have the possibility of either being restructured or abolished.
In a press release by the Department of State on January 26, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that all foreign assistance programs, fundings, and policies must be evaluated based on whether they make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” If the suspension extends beyond 90 days, it could significantly disrupt aid programs on the ground. Sectors such as healthcare, where U.S. funding plays a critical role in life-saving initiatives, may have dire humanitarian consequences. (Kenichi Doi)

Executive Order: Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (January 20, 2025)

The decision was made to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) during the first Trump administration in 2020, yet was reversed by the succeeding Biden administration. This latest Executive Order reaffirms the withdrawal and outlines plans to establish a domestic framework for strengthening public health and biosecurity.
Details are here.

Comment
Some media reports have suggested that the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO is being used as leverage in a potential deal to negotiate lower financial contributions. While the U.S. does contribute more than China, the gap is not as vast as it may sound: the U.S. funds 22% of WHO’s budget, compared to China’s 15% and Japan’s 8%. Moreover, a large portion of U.S. funding consists of voluntary contributions—it is rather misguided to demand that the WHO reduce its financial dependence on the U.S.
If the U.S. follows through on its withdrawal, it could create a power vacuum in global health governance, potentially allowing China to expand its influence. A similar situation unfolded when the U.S. withdrew from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during Trump’s first term, only to rejoin under Biden after China’s role in the organization had grown drastically. At the time, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sarcastically remarked that “the U.S. should not treat international organizations like a park, leaving when it pleases and returning when convenient.”
Whether this withdrawal is a serious long-term policy or merely a negotiating tactic, it underscores Trump’s broader disinterest in leading international organizations—even amid strategic competition with China in many fields. (Kenichi Doi)

List of proclamations, memoranda, and official announcements

Public Comment Invited on Artificial Intelligence Action Plan (February 25, 2025)

In accordance with the executive order issued on January 23, 2025, the government is seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders—including academia, industry groups, private companies, and local governments—to help formulate an action plan for artificial intelligence (AI). The deadline for public comments is March 15.

Click here for the announcement and call for comments.

Comment
The executive order issued on January 23 instructs the government to develop an “AI Action Plan” within 180 days to maintain and strengthen America’s leadership in AI. As part of this effort, the White House has now opened a public consultation process to gather input for the plan. (The deadline for responses is March 15.) The scope of public comments covers a wide range of issues, including AI development hardware, energy consumption, infrastructure, model development, education, and intellectual property. Other key areas include AI explainability, data privacy, safety, risk, regulation, international cooperation, and export control throughout the AI lifecycle. At this stage, the specific contents of the AI Action Plan remain unclear. However, the broad scope of topics being considered suggests that the plan will not focus solely on strengthening AI competitiveness but may also include measures related to safety and regulation. The second Trump administration appears to be pursuing “promoting AI development” rather than “managing AI-related risks,” but the extent of this preference remains a key question. Furthermore, if the differences in domestic approaches to addressing AI risks diverge between the U.S., Europe, Japan, and other countries, it could significantly impact the formation of international rules, despite ongoing discussions within frameworks such as the Hiroshima AI Process aimed at establishing global AI governance. (Kota Umeda)

Memorandum: America First Investment Policy (February 21, 2025)

This memorandum outlines a policy to enhance U.S. national and economic security by encouraging investment from allies and trusted partners while imposing restrictions on investment from adversarial nations, including China.
Click here for the memorandum and the fact sheet.

Comment
This Presidential Action declares that “economic security is national security”. It has two major components. First, recognizing that investment in the US economy from allies and partners supports the national interest, it orders Executive Branch agencies to create an expedited “fast-track” process to facilitate greater investment from these sources, with an emphasis on advanced technology sectors. But investment will be subject to security provisions, including requirements that investors avoid partnering with US foreign adversaries. Second, it defines China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela as foreign adversaries, as well as specifically singling out China as attempting to “take over” US critical infrastructure and using US investments to obtain cutting-edge technologies, intellectual property, and leverage in strategic industries. Such investments will be restricted under various legal authorities, and only allowed when determined to “serve American interests”. Combined, the two components aim to incentivize European and Asian allies to shift investments toward the US and away from China, using their funds to replace Chinese capital in key US sectors, thereby advancing US economic and national security interests simultaneously. (Andrew Capistrano)

Memorandum: Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs (February 13, 2025)

This memorandum directs the heads of relevant government agencies to consider the imposition of reciprocal tariffs and to investigate trade practices with each U.S. trading partner. The objective is to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and correct asymmetrical trade relationships.

Click here for thethe memorandum, fact sheet, and a related article.

Comment
On February 13, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum stating that the U.S. is suffering economic harm from unfair and non-reciprocal trade policies adopted by its trading partners. The memorandum claims that such policies contribute to the U.S. trade deficit and directs the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to develop a plan for ensuring fair and reciprocal trade. While the memorandum itself only calls for an investigation and policy proposals—meaning that specific measures will be determined later—it explicitly mentions reciprocal tariffs as a potential response. The fact sheet accompanying the memorandum highlights examples of unfair trade practices, citing Brazilian ethanol, Indian motorcycles, EU shellfish and automobiles, and digital service taxes imposed by Canada and France. Although Japan is not specifically mentioned, the memorandum does include non-tariff barriers as part of its definition of non-reciprocal trade policies.
This policy raises several concerns. First, it focuses on bilateral trade balances rather than broader economic factors. Second, the determination of what constitutes “reciprocal” trade is being made unilaterally by the U.S. Additionally, the administration’s view that import-related value-added taxes (VAT) constitute unfair trade practices diverges from established WTO rules. There is a high risk that these measures will undermine the global trade system based on multilateral rules, which is a significant point of concern. (The EU promptly issued a rebuttal on February 17.) (Shin Oya)

Proclamation: Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into The United States (February 11, 2025)

This proclamation mandates an increase in the tariff rate on aluminum product imports from 10% to 25%. Additionally, previously applied tariff exemptions will be terminated, and the new tariff rate will apply to imports from all countries starting March 12, 2025.
Click here for the proclamation, fact sheet, and a related article.

Comment
In 2018, a 10% tariff was imposed on aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, with exemptions for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the EU, Ukraine, and the UK. However, due to concerns that China was exporting aluminum to the US through these exempt countries, the tariff was raised to 25% to prevent such “loopholes” and protect the US aluminum industry. Consequently, Japan’s exemption was revoked, making exports from Japan more challenging. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Proclamation: Adjusting Imports of Steel into The United States (February 10, 2025)

This proclamation ends special measures for steel and derived steel products for countries previously exempt from tariffs or subject to alternative measures, instituting a uniform additional tariff of 25% effective March 12, 2025. Previously, Japan benefited from tariff quotas (exempt up to a certain import volume), but such exceptions will no longer apply.
Click here for the proclamation , fact sheet , and a related article .

Comment
Similar to aluminum, steel imports from countries exempt from the 25% tariff set in 2018, especially those routed through Mexico or Canada, were viewed as detrimental to the US industry. Therefore, the exemptions were removed, and a 25% tariff was imposed on all countries. This proclamation aims to protect the US industry from international competition and maintain domestic production, recognizing that steel is a vital industry from a security perspective, as highlighted during Nippon Steel’s attempt at acquisition of US Steel. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Memorandum: National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-2 (February 4, 2025)

National Security Presidential Memorandum No. 2 (NSPM-2) aims to reinstate maximum pressure on Iran, block all avenues for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, and curb Iran’s malign influence abroad. Similar policies during Trump’s first term significantly escalated U.S.-Iran tensions.
Click here for the memorandum, the fact sheet, and the video.

Comment
In 2015, the Iran nuclear deal was finalized after nearly two years of negotiations under the Obama administration. However, President Trump’s first term saw the removal of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster, both of whom opposed withdrawing from the agreement. The U.S. exited the deal in 2018 and began imposing unilateral sanctions.
By restricting dollar transactions, the U.S. effectively crippled Iran’s trade, though under the Biden administration, Iran’s export of crude oil to China was tolerated. In response to U.S. sanctions, Iran ramped up its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium to 60%. The situation further deteriorated following Hamas’s 2023 terrorist attack—supported by Iran—and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran in 2024.
Entering his second term, President Trump issued this memorandum to sanction companies violating Iran-related sanctions and urged the UN Security Council to implement a snapback of previous sanctions. Interestingly, while signing the memorandum, Trump expressed hope that this document would ‘hardly ever have to be used,’ suggesting a shift toward seeking a negotiated settlement with Iran. While his true intentions remain unclear, this change in tone contrasts sharply with the aggressive rhetoric of his first term. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Deportation of Illegal Immigrants of Colombian Nationality (January 26, 2025)

This statement confirms that the Colombian government has agreed to accept the deportation of its nationals, including via military aircraft, without conditions.
Details are here.

Comment
This marks the first instance of President Trump successfully using tariffs as leverage. When Colombia initially refused to accept deported nationals, Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Colombian imports, with a threat to increase it to 50% within a week. He also threatened financial sanctions, travel bans on Colombian officials, and visa restrictions.
Faced with these pressures, Colombia agreed to accept deported nationals, prompting Trump to withdraw the tariffs and other punitive measures. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of tariff-based negotiations with countries heavily reliant on exports to the U.S., indicating that similar tactics may be employed in future diplomatic efforts. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Memorandum: The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal (January 20, 2025)

This memorandum declares that the OECD’s Global Tax Deal does not apply to the United States, arguing that they undermine U.S. sovereignty and economic competitiveness. It also directs the OECD to consider protective measures against foreign countries that have introduced or may introduce tax policies unfavorable to U.S. companies.
Details are here.

Comment
Under the Biden administration, efforts were made to curb a legally permissible but ethically questionable “race to the bottom” in corporate taxation. As a result, it was decided that all the OECD countries introduce a 15% minimum corporate tax rate to prevent tax havens and ensure fair taxation across countries. Trump, however, aims to lower the U.S. corporate tax rate below this international minimum to attract investment, effectively reinitiating the “race to the bottom,” with the U.S. leading the charge. (Kazuto Suzuki)

Memorandum: America First Trade Policy (January 20, 2025)

This memorandum instructs the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Trade Representative to address unfair and unbalanced trade.
Details are here.

Comment
The Trump administration operates under the belief that trade deficits contribute to poverty among ordinary Americans. Consequently, it sees reducing imports through tariffs as a means to fix the trade imbalance and boost national wealth.
They also believe that tariffs generate tax revenue for the U.S., leading to the proposal of an “External Revenue Service” in this memorandum. However, while this aligns with Trump’s signature economic policies, its actual implementation will depend on an upcoming report due on April 1, which will assess the effects of existing tariffs.
Additionally, Trump suggested in a press conference that a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10% tariff on China, could take effect as early as February 1. These tariffs are intended as negotiation leverage, particularly regarding fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. (Kazuto Suzuki)