Documents › Executive orders › 14245
Executive Order 14245
Imposing Tariffs on Countries Importing Venezuelan Oil
Signed March 24, 2025, printed at 90 FR 13829. 5 sections of substance, 1,433 words.
This order taxes goods from any country that buys oil from Venezuela. It ties that trade to a gang.
Sec. 1. Findings
(a) The Tren de Aragua gang, a transnational criminal organization with origins in Venezuela, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States due to its extensive involvement in terrorist activities such as kidnapping and violent attacks, including the assassination of a Venezuelan opposition figure, that destabilize communities across the Western Hemisphere. The prior administration's open-borders policies facilitated the infiltration of the United States by members of Tren de Aragua, allowing these dangerous criminals to establish a foothold within United States cities and prey upon American citizens. The Maduro regime aided and facilitated the influx of Tren de Aragua members into the United States during the prior administration by failing to control its borders, permitting the gang's operations to flourish within Venezuela, and refusing to take action
(a) The Tren de Aragua gang, a transnational criminal organization with origins in Venezuela, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States due to its extensive involvement in terrorist activities such as kidnapping and violent attacks, including the assassination of a Venezuelan opposition figure, that destabilize communities across the Western Hemisphere. The prior administration's open-borders policies facilitated the infiltration of the United States by members of Tren de Aragua, allowing these dangerous criminals to establish a foothold within United States cities and prey upon American citizens. The Maduro regime aided and facilitated the influx of Tren de Aragua members into the United States during the prior administration by failing to control its borders, permitting the gang's operations to flourish within Venezuela, and refusing to take action
This sets out the case the order makes. It names a gang with roots in Venezuela. It says the gang is listed as a terror group. It cites kidnapping and a political killing. It says members entered under the last team. It says the government there let that happen.
Sec. 2. Imposition of Tariffs
(a) On or after April 2, 2025, a tariff of 25 percent may be imposed on all goods imported into the United States from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, whether directly from Venezuela or indirectly through third parties. Duties imposed by this order will be supplemental to duties on imports already imposed pursuant to IEEPA, section 232 of the Trade Expansion of 1962, section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or any other authority. (b) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to determine in his discretion whether the tariff of 25 percent will be imposed on goods from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly, on or after April 2, 2025. (c) Once imposed on a country at the Secretary of State's
(a) On or after April 2, 2025, a tariff of 25 percent may be imposed on all goods imported into the United States from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, whether directly from Venezuela or indirectly through third parties. Duties imposed by this order will be supplemental to duties on imports already imposed pursuant to IEEPA, section 232 of the Trade Expansion of 1962, section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or any other authority. (b) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to determine in his discretion whether the tariff of 25 percent will be imposed on goods from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly, on or after April 2, 2025. (c) Once imposed on a country at the Secretary of State's
This sets a tariff. From April 2, 2025 it may be 25 percent. It falls on countries that buy Venezuelan oil. Buying through a third party counts. The duty comes on top of others already set. State decides which countries it applies to.
Sec. 3. Administration and Enforcement
(a) The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to impose the tariffs established by this order. (b) The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, is hereby authorized to: (i) Determine whether a country has imported Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly; (ii) Issue regulations, guidance, and determinations as necessary to implement this order; (iii) Coordinate with the heads of other executive departments and agencies to ensure compliance; and (iv) Take any additional actions consistent with applicable law to carry out the purposes of this order. (c) Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance that is inconsistent with the
(a) The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to impose the tariffs established by this order. (b) The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, is hereby authorized to: (i) Determine whether a country has imported Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly; (ii) Issue regulations, guidance, and determinations as necessary to implement this order; (iii) Coordinate with the heads of other executive departments and agencies to ensure compliance; and (iv) Take any additional actions consistent with applicable law to carry out the purposes of this order. (c) Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance that is inconsistent with the
This says who carries it out. State may impose the tariff. Four other officials work with it. Commerce decides who buys that oil. It may write rules and guidance. It must work with other agencies on compliance. Older orders that clash are set aside.
Sec. 4. Reporting and Review
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit periodic reports to the President, within 180 [[Page 13831]] days of the date of this order and no less than every 180 days thereafter, assessing the effectiveness of the tariffs described in this order and the ongoing conduct of the Maduro regime.
The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit periodic reports to the President, within 180 [[Page 13831]] days of the date of this order and no less than every 180 days thereafter, assessing the effectiveness of the tariffs described in this order and the ongoing conduct of the Maduro regime.
This orders reports. State and Commerce must file them. The first is due in 180 days. More follow at least every 180 days. They go to the President. Each must judge how well the tariffs work. Each must also assess what the Maduro government is doing.
Sec. 5. Definitions
For the purposes of this order: (a) The term ``Venezuelan oil'' means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from Venezuela, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products. (b) The term ``indirectly'' includes purchases of Venezuelan oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Venezuela, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.
For the purposes of this order: (a) The term ``Venezuelan oil'' means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from Venezuela, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products. (b) The term ``indirectly'' includes purchases of Venezuelan oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Venezuela, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.
This defines the terms. Venezuelan oil means crude or fuel from there. That holds whoever produces or sells it. Indirectly covers buying through a middleman. It also covers buying through a third country. The test is whether the oil can be traced back.
Sec. 6. Effective Date
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 2, 2025.
This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 2, 2025.
This says when the order starts. It takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on April 2, 2025.
Sec. 7. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) The authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) The functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 24, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-05440 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) The authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) The functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 24, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-05440 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
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