SECURING AMERICA’S BULK-POWER SYSTEM: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at safeguarding the security, integrity, and reliability of the bulk-power system electric equipment in the United States from potential foreign interference.
- The Executive Order declares a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act due to the significant foreign threat posed by bulk-power systems manufactured abroad that could expose the United States to national security risks.
- To counter this threat to national security, foreign policy, and the economy, the Order generally bans the purchase and installation of certain foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment, including critical software and digital capabilities that may present cybersecurity or operational risks, unless conditions are met to mitigate these risks.
- The focus is on transactions with foreign nationals that could lead to sabotage, unauthorized access, or other disruptions, posing significant risks to the security or resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure or national security.
- The Order specifically excludes facilities used for local electric energy distribution.
- Furthermore, the Order authorizes the Secretary of Energy, in collaboration with other Cabinet members, to impose conditions on the continued use of such equipment, considering factors like reliability, safety, availability of replacements, and service continuity.
- The Order instructs the Secretary of Energy to develop and implement rules for its execution as necessary.
- The Secretary of Energy, alongside other Cabinet members, is also tasked with identifying bulk-power system electric equipment that may pose risks as outlined in the Order and preparing recommendations for the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
PREVENTING FOREIGN ACTORS FROM CRIPPLING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: President Trump is working to address supply chain vulnerabilities while ensuring the availability of reliable electricity.
- The rapid advancement in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and defense production has increased U.S. reliance on foreign components necessary for a stable electricity supply.
- Ongoing dependence on foreign sources of bulk-power system electric equipment poses a supply chain risk to the U.S.
- The limited restrictions on acquiring or operating foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment enhance the capability of certain foreign entities to exploit vulnerabilities in this equipment.
- Foreign actors are increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities in the U.S. bulk-power system, which is crucial for national defense, emergency services, critical infrastructure, and the economy.
SECURING AMERICA’S CRITICAL SUPPLY CHAINS: President Trump has consistently emphasized the importance of rebuilding key sectors of the industrial base and their supply chains for national security and economic strength.
- During his first term, Trump transformed international trade by using Section 232 to combat global trade policies that weakened domestic steel and aluminum industries.
- Since then, he has continued to take measures under Section 232 to bolster domestic manufacturing vital to national and economic security, including imposing tariffs on essential goods like steel, aluminum, copper, polysilicon, vehicles, timber, lumber, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
- In April 2025, Trump signed an Executive Order to enhance and secure the U.S. electric grid, preventing 17,000 megawatts (MW) — enough to power 12.75 million homes — of operational power plants from being shut down due to state and Federal environmental regulations, thereby reducing consumer costs and improving grid stability.
- In June 2026, Trump signed an Executive Order to promote American AI innovation, strengthening cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in AI.
- In July 2026, he signed an Executive Order to secure defense supply chains for advanced equipment, focusing on critical materials and components necessary for manufacturing.
- In August 2026, Trump issued a Proclamation to tackle the national security threat from drone imports and their components, aiming to strengthen the U.S. drone industry and supply chain.
