On January 20, 2025, newly inaugurated President Trump signed several Executive Orders (EOs) and executive actions, focusing on U.S. sanctions and export control policies. These actions reflect significant changes to U.S. foreign policy, particularly concerning international cartels, Cuba, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the West Bank, and trade relations.
New Authority for Cartel Designation
President Trump signed an Executive Order granting the authority to designate certain international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This order specifically targets cartels in Mexico, allowing them to be added to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. Once added to this list, these cartels would face restrictions on access to U.S. markets, and cross-border transactions involving these entities would become more difficult. The order also makes it a crime to provide material support or resources to designated FTOs.
Reversal of Biden Administration Actions
President Trump also signed an omnibus Executive Order reversing several actions taken by the Biden administration. These included:
- Cuba: President Biden had recently removed Cuba from the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and relaxed certain sanctions. Under President Trump’s new order, Cuba is reinstated on the list, and the previous sanctions relaxation is reversed.
- International Criminal Court (ICC): Trump rescinded an order issued by President Biden in 2021 that had terminated emergency measures related to the ICC. The action restores the previous policy of imposing sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the ICC.
- West Bank: Trump rescinded an Executive Order issued by President Biden that had imposed sanctions on individuals determined to undermine peace and stability in the West Bank. The new order removes those sanctions and eliminates the potential for future sanctions under this policy.
America First Trade Policy
In addition to sanctions-related actions, President Trump’s “America First” trade policy, introduced today, focuses on tariffs, import duties, and trade agreements. As part of this initiative, a provision directs the Secretaries of State and Commerce to review and assess the U.S. export control system. This review aims to support the U.S.’s technological edge, close regulatory loopholes, enhance enforcement practices, and incentivize compliance by foreign countries.
These executive actions represent a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities, with an emphasis on addressing international cartels, reasserting sanctions on Cuba, and revising policies related to the ICC and the West Bank. The new trade policy also aims to strengthen the U.S.’s competitive position in global trade.
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