Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
On May 31, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 10044 imposing a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on imported aluminum, effective June 1, 2018. The tariffs applied to most countries and products, with some exemptions negotiated later. American consumers and manufacturers faced increased costs for steel and aluminum products, including automobiles, appliances, and construction materials.
Executive Order 13836 was signed on May 25, 2018, directing federal agencies to renegotiate or terminate collective bargaining agreements with federal employee unions and implement new bargaining procedures. The order shortened the period for contract negotiations, limited the scope of negotiable subjects, and reduced official time granted to union representatives. Federal employees in covered positions experienced changes to their union representation rights and contract terms.
On May 25, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13837, requiring federal agencies to track and report how much paid time employees spend on union activities. The order mandates agencies establish procedures to monitor union representational work performed during paid federal time and implement new restrictions on union access to federal facilities and employee time. The confirmed effect is that federal employees' union representation time became subject to direct agency monitoring and reporting, and agencies reduced union access to facilities and employee contact during work hours.
On May 25, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13838, which exempted recreational services on federal lands from the prevailing wage requirements established in Executive Order 13658. The order eliminated the requirement that companies providing recreational services on federal property pay workers the prevailing wage for their region. This reduced labor costs for contractors providing services like campground management, equipment rentals, and recreational facilities on federal lands, directly lowering operating expenses for private companies managing these services.
On May 24, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13825 directing federal agencies to streamline regulations governing commercial space activities and licensing. The order instructed the Department of Commerce and other agencies to reduce regulatory burdens on commercial space companies, including those engaged in satellite launches, space stations, and lunar activities. The confirmed effect was expedited licensing timelines for commercial space ventures and reduced compliance requirements for private space companies seeking federal authorization.
President Trump signed Proclamation 10372 on May 18, 2018, designating the week of May 20-26, 2018 as World Trade Week. The proclamation calls for observance of the week to recognize the importance of trade to the U.S. economy. The proclamation itself creates no new policy, tariffs, or trade agreements—it is a ceremonial designation with no direct binding effect on American commerce or regulations.
Executive Order 13834 was signed on May 17, 2018, directing federal agencies to establish Regulatory Reform Officers and review regulations for potential elimination or modification to reduce compliance costs. The order required agencies to identify regulations imposing costs on the economy and submit plans to repeal or revise them. The confirmed direct impact included agencies across the federal government conducting systematic regulatory reviews, resulting in the elimination or modification of hundreds of regulations through 2020, affecting areas including environmental protection, labor standards, and financial oversight.
On May 9, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13832, which established a new hiring pathway allowing federal agencies to appoint military spouses to permanent competitive civil service positions without competitive examination. The order applies to spouses of active duty, retired, or deceased service members. The direct effect is that military spouses became eligible for a noncompetitive hiring process into federal civil service roles that would normally require competitive examination.
On April 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 9840, imposing a 10% tariff on aluminum imports into the United States, with exceptions for Canada and Mexico. The tariff applied to aluminum in various forms and increased costs for American manufacturers and consumers purchasing aluminum-containing products. The action remained in effect through subsequent administrations with modifications.
On April 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 9705 imposing a 25% tariff on steel imports and 10% tariff on aluminum imports into the United States, with limited country exemptions. The tariffs applied to most steel and aluminum products entering U.S. commerce. American consumers and businesses purchasing steel and aluminum products experienced increased costs, and retaliatory tariffs from affected trading partners increased prices on U.S. exports including agricultural goods.