In the first week of his Administration, President Donald Trump has signed a wide variety of Executive Orders (EOs) including several that will have an impact on the cold chain industry.

  1. Regulatory and Hiring Freeze

President Trump has issued a regulatory freeze that halts the implementation of pending regulations across federal agencies. This approach is typical of new administrations and is designed to provide time to review and potentially revise or rescind rules that could hinder economic growth or impose unnecessary burdens on businesses. A complementary hiring freeze for federal workers (excluding military personnel) aims to streamline government operations. These freezes could delay the enforcement of pending compliance requirements.

  1. Interim Cabinet and Sub-Cabinet Appointments

In addition to already nominated cabinet officials, Trump has also named interim cabinet officers and made sub-cabinet nominations. The administration has filled key interim cabinet and sub-cabinet positions. The interim appointees will help keep departmental operations going while the confirmation process takes place. Trump also named Marvin Kaplan as Chair of the NLRB, a position that influences labor relations and workforce policies affecting cold chain operations. Kaplan’s leadership is particularly noteworthy as the administration awaits the nomination of two additional Republican members. If confirmed, their appointments would secure a Republican majority on the board, potentially leading to more employer-friendly rulings on labor issues.

GCCA continues to monitor appointments and nominations to multiple agencies, including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Commerce (DOC),

  1. America First Trade Policy

The “America First” trade policy prioritizes protecting U.S. industries and jobs by renegotiating trade agreements and addressing perceived imbalances. Key components include:

  • Examination of tariff policies
  • Strengthening enforcement of trade rules to prevent dumping and unfair subsidies.
  • Reevaluating participation in trade agreements that are deemed disadvantageous to the U.S.

There were concerns that Trump would institute new tariffs on “day one” of his administration. It now appears that additional reviews will be taking place before widespread tariff changes are implemented. However, on January 26th, 25 percent tariffs were placed on Colombia in response to the nation’s refusal to accept U.S. planes carrying deported individuals from Colombia. There are also indications that a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico could be instituted as soon as February 1st.

  1. Immigration and Border Security

New directives on immigration and border security include plans to tighten enforcement at U.S. borders. While these measures aim to enhance national security, they could lead to logistical delays at ports of entry, affecting perishable goods transported via the cold chain.

  1. Energy and Sustainability

Energy policy is another prominent theme in recent EOs. The administration has signaled its commitment to expanding domestic energy production while rolling back regulations perceived as restrictive to energy industries. For cold chain operators, this could mean:

  • Lower energy costs driven by increased domestic production.
  • Potential rollbacks of environmental regulations that may alter requirements for refrigeration and transportation equipment.

These Executive Orders underscore this new administration’s focus on deregulation, domestic economic growth, and national security. GCCA will continue to closely monitor policy developments and engage with industry coalitions to advocate for balanced approaches that support both economic and operational goals.

Published Date

January 28, 2025