Executive Order 14257

Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits

Signed April 2, 2025, printed at 90 FR 15041. 6 sections of substance, 5,260 words.

In plain English

This order sets a broad tax on goods from most countries. Rates rise where a country taxes American goods more.

Sec. 1. National Emergency

As President of the United States, my highest duty is ensuring the national and economic security of the country and its citizens. I have declared a national emergency arising from conditions reflected in large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits, which have grown by over 40 percent in the past 5 years alone, reaching $1.2 trillion in 2024. This trade deficit reflects asymmetries in trade relationships that have contributed to the atrophy of domestic production capacity, especially that of the U.S. manufacturing and defense-industrial base. These asymmetries also impact U.S. producers' ability to export and, consequentially, their incentive to produce. Specifically, such asymmetry includes not only non- reciprocal differences in tariff rates among foreign trading partners, but also extensive use of non-tariff barriers by foreign trading partners, which reduce the

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It cites the gap between what the country buys and sells. It says that gap grew over 40 percent in five years. It puts it at $1.2 trillion in 2024. It says that hollowed out factories here. It names both tariffs and other barriers abroad.

Sec. 2. Reciprocal Tariff Policy

It is the policy of the United States to rebalance global trade flows by imposing an additional ad valorem duty on all imports from all trading partners except as otherwise provided herein. The additional ad valorem duty on all imports from all trading partners shall start at 10 percent and shortly thereafter, the additional ad valorem duty shall increase for trading partners enumerated in Annex I to this order at the rates set forth in Annex I to this order. These additional ad valorem duties shall apply until such time as I determine that the underlying conditions described above are satisfied, resolved, or mitigated.

In plain English

This sets a broad tariff. Every trade partner faces an added duty. The rate starts at 10 percent. Some partners then face higher rates. A table in the order sets each one. The duties hold until the President finds the problem eased.

Sec. 3. Implementation

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this order, all articles imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 10 percent. Such rates of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 5, 2025, except that goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 5, 2025, and entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 5, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty. Furthermore, except as otherwise provided in this order, at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 9, 2025, all articles from trading partners enumerated in

In plain English

This starts the tariff. The 10 percent rate began April 5, 2025. Goods already at sea are spared. Higher rates for named partners began April 9, 2025. Those rates come from the table in the order. The same transit exception applies.

Sec. 4. Modification Authority

(a) The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, shall recommend to me additional action, if necessary, if this action is not effective in resolving the emergency conditions described above, including the increase in the overall trade deficit or the recent expansion of non-reciprocal trade arrangements by U.S. trading partners in a manner that threatens the economic and national security interests of the United States. (b) Should any trading partner retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on U.S. exports or other measures, I may further modify

In plain English

This lets the rates change. Two trade officials must advise on more steps. They do that if the first action falls short. Five other officials join that advice. The President may raise rates if a partner hits back. He may also widen what is covered.

Sec. 5. Implementation Authority

The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Chair of the International Trade Commission are hereby authorized to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order. Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to implement this order.

In plain English

This says who carries it out. Two trade officials lead the work. Six other officials advise them. They may use every power the emergency law gives. Each agency must help where it can. That holds within its own authority.

Sec. 6. Reporting Requirements

The United States Trade Representative, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

In plain English

This is about reports to Congress. The trade office may send them. Seven other officials help prepare them. The reports cover the emergency declared here. Two laws set what they must contain. Both regular and final reports count.

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, 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, April 2, 2025. Billing code 3395-F4-P [[Page 15049]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TD07AP25.024 [[Page 15050]] [GRAPHIC]

In plain English

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.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.