Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration ends de minimis tariff exemption for all countries — The Trump administration ended the longstanding de minimis tariff exemption on Friday, August 29, 2025, eliminating duty-free entry for packages valued under $800. The exemption, established in the Tariff Act of 1930 and raised to $800 in 2015, had covered approximately 1.36 billion shipments annually. The White House cited protection of American manufacturers and national security concerns, claiming bad actors use the exemption to smuggle drugs. The change is expected to cost consumers up to $13 billion and disproportionately affect lower-income Americans and small overseas businesses.
• International postal service to U.S. collapsed due to tariff policy — Postal traffic into the United States plunged by more than 80% after the Trump administration ended a tariff exemption for low-cost imports. Eighty-eight postal operators told the United Postal Union they suspended some or all postal service to the U.S. until a solution is implemented regarding U.S.-bound parcels valued at $800 or less. The UPU reported that global postal traffic to the U.S. fell 81% on August 29, 2025, compared with a week earlier, affecting nearly all 192 member countries.
• Trump administration imposed tariffs on previously exempt international packages — Multiple international shipping companies announced they will refuse to deliver packages to the United States once a new Trump administration policy takes effect on August 29, imposing tariffs on packages valued at $800, which have always been exempt from tariffs. The Atlantic's David Frum noted that "DHL is suspending commercial package deliveries to US because of Trump tariffs. It's as if the US were imposing punitive trade sanctions on itself."

Supporting reports

• Trump administration announced government equity stake in Intel and discussed nationalizing defense contractors — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration took an ownership stake in Intel and discussed potentially taking equity positions in major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which derives 97% of revenue from U.S. government contracts. Lutnick justified the policy as necessary for the government to benefit from taxpayer-funded research and patents. The announcement drew criticism from labor analysts and economists who noted the government received no governance rights or board seats despite taking equity.
• Commerce Secretary discusses equity stakes in defense contractors — On CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that Pentagon officials are considering whether the US should acquire equity stakes in defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which he called "basically an arm of the US government."

Supporting reports

• Trump announced government stake in Intel — Trump announced that the federal government has taken a 10% stake in Intel, which manufactures semiconductors and chips. Trump stated he intends to take similar stakes in other companies. The action represents direct government equity ownership in private corporations.
• Trump announced U.S. acquisition of 10% stake in Intel following pressure on CEO — President Trump announced on social media that the United States now owns and controls 10% of Intel. Trump had called for CEO Lip-Bu Tan's removal on August 7, met with Tan on August 11, and stated he told Tan the U.S. "should be given 10% of Intel." Tan agreed to the arrangement. Trump publicly characterized the transaction as a major corporate acquisition achieved through direct presidential intervention in private business operations.
• Trump Announces U.S. Ownership of 10% of Intel — President Donald Trump announced that the United States now owns 10% of Intel after a meeting with the company's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, on August 11, where Trump demanded the stake. This announcement marks a significant government intervention in a private company, contrasting with traditional Republican values of free markets.
• Conservative economists and commentators criticized Trump's Intel stake acquisition — Multiple conservative figures criticized Trump's acquisition of a 10% government stake in Intel as socialism and government overreach. National Review's Pradheep Shanker warned it sets a precedent Democrats will exploit; Editor Charles Cooke called it "preposterous"; Sen. Rand Paul questioned whether it constitutes socialism; talk show host Erick Erickson called it "socialism with an R"; former House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good suggested canceling Intel subsidies instead; former Trump economic advisor Stephen Moore called it "terrible"; and Fox Business host Larry Kudlow expressed discomfort with the move.
• Trump announced U.S. government acquisition of 10% stake in Intel — President Trump announced that the U.S. government now owns and controls 10% of Intel, stating he negotiated the deal with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and that "the US paid nothing for these Shares" valued at approximately $11 billion. Trump characterized it as "a great Deal for America." The announcement followed Trump's previous threats against Intel's leadership.
• Trump administration announced government equity stake in Intel and discussed nationalizing defense contractors — Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that the Trump administration took an ownership stake in Intel and discussed potentially taking equity positions in major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, which derives 97% of revenue from U.S. government contracts. Lutnick justified the policy as necessary for the government to benefit from taxpayer-funded research and patents. The announcement drew criticism from labor analysts and economists who noted the government received no governance rights or board seats despite taking equity.