Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump signs memorandum for new tariff plan — President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum directing the development of a comprehensive plan to address trade imbalances by imposing "reciprocal" duties on countries that target US products. The plan aims to create a system of US import duties matching those imposed by other countries. The US Commerce Department, led by Howard Lutnick, will conduct studies and report back by April. No specific new tariffs were announced, but the administration emphasized the potential for economic and national security improvements.
• Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs — President issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate non-reciprocal trade arrangements and propose remedies to establish reciprocal trade relations. The memorandum outlines the "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" to address trade imbalances and unfair practices by foreign trading partners. The plan aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit and improve economic competitiveness by countering tariffs and non-tariff barriers imposed by other countries.
• President Trump announces Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan — The White House issued a release announcing President Trump's "Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan," framed as correcting trade imbalances by imposing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners. The release states the U.S. has an open economy while trading partners keep markets closed, and cites support from industry groups, cabinet officials, and Republican lawmakers. No specific tariff rates, implementation timeline, or formal executive order text is included in the release itself.
• White House issues fact sheet on Trump's "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" trade memorandum — The White House published a fact sheet on February 13, 2025, announcing that President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering development of a comprehensive trade plan to address what the administration characterizes as non-reciprocal trading arrangements. The fact sheet claims the plan will correct trade imbalances, reduce the trade deficit, and prioritize American workers. It cites specific tariff disparities with Brazil, India, the European Union, and others, and asserts that reciprocal tariffs will restore fairness to international trade.
• White House issues memorandum directing reciprocal tariff investigation and "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" — The White House issued a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Commerce, U.S. Trade Representative, and other officials to investigate non-reciprocal trade arrangements with all U.S. trading partners and propose remedies. The memorandum establishes a "Fair and Reciprocal Plan" to examine tariffs, taxes, nontariff barriers, exchange-rate policies, subsidies, and other trade practices deemed unfair. The Secretary of Commerce and USTR are instructed to initiate investigations and submit a report with proposed remedies; OMB must assess fiscal impacts within 180 days.

Supporting reports

• White House issues release asserting enforcement actions against states and entities for non-compliance with Trump administration directives — The White House issued a release titled "Trump Administration: Follow the Law" on February 13, 2025, announcing enforcement actions by multiple federal agencies against states, cities, and entities the administration characterizes as defiant. The release states the Department of Education launched investigations into California and Minnesota athletic organizations over alleged non-compliance with an executive order on girls' sports, and into universities over anti-Semitic harassment; the DOJ sued New York State and filed lawsuits against Illinois and Chicago over immigration and sanctuary policies; the EPA referred matters to inspectors general and DOJ over alleged fund-sheltering by Biden-era staffers; the FCC opened investigations into Comcast, NPR, and PBS, and took action against a San Francisco radio station; and DHS "clawed back" tens of millions in FEMA funds.

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance asserts executive power over judicial authority — On February 9, Vice President JD Vance tweeted that "Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power," articulating an administration position that the executive branch is not bound by judicial constraints on its authority. This statement reflects the broader administration posture of resistance to adverse court rulings.
• Vice President Vance defends executive power — Vice President J.D. Vance defended the executive branch's authority in response to the federal judge's ruling, asserting that judges should not control the executive's "legitimate power." This statement reflects a growing trend among Republican leaders to challenge judicial oversight and assert executive dominance.