After The Fact

President Trump issued several executive orders and conducted a phone call with Egyptian President el-Sisi

February 01, 2025

President Trump issued several executive orders and conducted a phone call with Egyptian President el-Sisi on February 1, 2025. Key actions included imposing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, citing national security and public health concerns related to illicit drugs and illegal immigration. He also discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Middle East peace with President el-Sisi. These actions appear to be in line with the America First trade policy outlined in a prior presidential memorandum and align with Project 2025's goals of strengthening border security and prioritizing American interests.

International Relations and Trade

President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on most goods and a 10% tariff on energy resources imported from Canada, citing Canada's role in the influx of illicit drugs into the United States and its insufficient cooperation with U.S. law enforcement. These tariffs will be implemented via modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The de minimis exemption from duties will not apply to these goods.

President Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all goods imported from China, citing the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) role in the synthetic opioid crisis and its failure to cooperate with the U.S. to address the issue. Similar to the tariffs on Canadian goods, these will be implemented via the HTSUS and the de minimis exemption will not apply.

President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico, citing Mexico's role in the influx of both illegal immigrants and illicit drugs into the United States and its insufficient cooperation to address these issues. These tariffs are also subject to the same implementation and de minimis rules as the Canadian and Chinese tariffs.

President Trump spoke with Egyptian President el-Sisi. President el-Sisi congratulated President Trump on his inauguration. They discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Middle East peace.

National Security and Immigration

President Trump expanded the national emergency declared in Proclamation 10886 to include the threats posed by illicit drugs and illegal immigration from Canada and Mexico, and by the synthetic opioid supply chain from China. He cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the National Emergencies Act (NEA) as justification for these actions.

The executive orders direct several cabinet secretaries, including the Secretary of Homeland Security, to consult and coordinate on these issues and report to the President and Congress.

The fact sheet reinforces that the tariffs are intended to address a national emergency and ensure Americans’ safety, using economic leverage.

Project 2025

The executive orders on tariffs align with Project 2025's focus on border security, combating drug trafficking, and prioritizing American interests in trade policy, reflecting a nationalistic and protectionist approach. The focus on securing the border is a specific objective outlined in Project 2025, while the trade actions may be seen as a means of achieving broader economic goals within the project.

Impact on American Citizens

The tariffs imposed on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China could lead to increased prices for American consumers. The executive orders do not explicitly create any new rights or benefits for American citizens but aim to address national security and public health concerns through trade policy.

Last updated at 2/7/2025 10:43 PM

- After The Fact Editorial Team