


President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday extending a federal hiring freeze and pushing back the deadline for his “Liberation Day” tariffs.
The most discussed of the three was a deadline extension for rolling out his global tariff plan.
Recommended Stories
- Trump offers to step in on Commanders stadium deal: ‘Federal government controls that’
- ‘The View’ slams Trump for prioritizing Musk feud amid Texas flood crisis
- Trump to sign executive order delaying 'Liberation Day' tariffs to Aug. 1
“I have determined, based on additional information and recommendations from various senior officials, including information on the status of discussions with trading partners, that it is necessary and appropriate to extend the suspension effectuated by Executive Order 14266 until 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Aug. 1,” the order reads.
The order was preceded by a series of letters Trump sent to world leaders announcing higher tariffs that would go into effect that day. Those rates include 25% import duties on Japan and South Korea.
“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Japan and have concluded that we must move away from these longterm, and very persistent, Trade Deficits engendered by Japan’s Tariff, and Non Tariff, Policies, and Trade Barriers,” the president wrote in his letter to Japan, sending a nearly identical letter to South Korea.
Myanmar and Laos were sent letters later on Monday advising them that they face a 40% tariff. Similarly, South Africa faces a 30% duty, and Kazakhstan and Malaysia a 25% levy. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the tariffs may not go into effect if trade deals are signed before the deadline.
A second order extends a previously announced hiring freeze which was announced on inauguration day and later extended to July 15. The new deadline will be Oct. 15.
“No federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created, except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or required by applicable law,” it reads.
Military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety are exempt from the hiring freeze.
White House says ‘every’ nationwide injunction to be revisited
The third order is related to the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ends “market-distorting subsidies” for green energy sources, implementing provisions of the legislation that end clean energy tax credits expanded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden.
“For too long, the federal government has forced American taxpayers to subsidize expensive and unreliable energy sources like wind and solar,” it reads. “Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts to unreliable energy sources is vital to energy dominance, national security, economic growth, and the fiscal health of the nation.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is tasked with ending “clean electricity production and investment” tax credits within the next 45 days.