Tracking every rollback, reversal, and overreach — and the path back to the America we know.
President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-18306 on August 17, 2018, establishing National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. The proclamation designates a week to recognize employers who support members of the National Guard and Reserve. The proclamation has no direct operational impact on Americans but serves as an official recognition of employer support for military service members.
On August 10, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 10170 imposing a 25% tariff on steel imports into the United States. The proclamation applied tariffs to most countries, with some exceptions negotiated bilaterally. The tariff increased prices for steel-consuming manufacturers and businesses across the U.S., affecting construction, automotive, appliance, and machinery industries, with costs passed to consumers and workers in downstream sectors.
On August 8, 2018, the Trump administration issued Notice 2018-17465 continuing the national emergency declaration with respect to export control regulations. This action extends an existing emergency declaration affecting U.S. export controls on certain technologies and materials. The continuation maintains restrictions on exports of items deemed to affect national security, directly impacting American companies engaged in international trade, technology exports, and manufacturing sectors reliant on foreign sales.
On August 6, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13846, which reimposed certain sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The order reinstated sanctions targeting Iran's automotive sector, metals, mining, and other industries, as well as its access to the U.S. financial system. The direct effect on Americans included increased restrictions on U.S. companies' ability to conduct business with Iran, potential impacts on global oil prices and inflation, and changes to foreign policy obligations.
On July 30, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-16725 to take certain actions under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The proclamation modified trade preferences and eligibility determinations under AGOA. The confirmed effect was changes to tariff treatment and trade benefits for designated African countries and specific product categories imported into the United States.
On July 27, 2018, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to Lebanon, originally declared in 1997 and renewed annually. The continuation maintains emergency powers related to Lebanese affairs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The direct effect on Americans includes potential restrictions on transactions with designated Lebanese entities and individuals, and continued authority for executive branch actions regarding Lebanon-related sanctions and foreign policy measures.
On July 26, 2018, President Trump signed Proclamation 2018-16555 designating July 27 as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, commemorating the armistice agreement signed on July 27, 1953. The proclamation establishes an annual observance to honor Korean War veterans. The direct impact on Americans is the official recognition of this annual commemorative day in the federal record.
On July 20, 2018, the Trump administration continued the national emergency declaration with respect to transnational criminal organizations originally declared in 2011. The continuation extended the emergency powers and authorities already in place under the existing declaration. The direct effect was the maintenance of federal resources and coordinating mechanisms directed at transnational criminal organizations, without initiating new emergency authorities.
On July 20, 2018, the Trump administration issued Determination 2018-17261 authorizing the continuation of U.S. drug interdiction assistance to the Government of Colombia. The determination maintained existing military and law enforcement support for counter-narcotics operations. The direct effect was the continuation of funding and operational support for joint U.S.-Colombian drug interdiction efforts already in place.
On July 19, 2018, President Trump signed Executive Order 13845 establishing the President's National Council for the American Worker. The order created a council directed to coordinate federal workforce training and apprenticeship programs across agencies, with the goal of expanding career pathways outside traditional four-year college degrees. The confirmed direct impact includes the formation of an interagency council tasked with developing recommendations on workforce development policy, though measurable enrollment or employment outcomes from the council's activities have not been independently verified.