Story perspectives

Trump Declares Emergency to Block Foreign Power Equipment

8/31/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to block foreign-made bulk-power system equipment.
The August 26 order tasks Energy Secretary Chris Wright with identifying and restricting foreign entities.
The Department of Energy has until Dec. 24 to issue rules naming banned equipment and suppliers.
The order bans transformers, breakers, inverters, battery storage, generators, turbines and control software.
Covered foreign entities include nations under U.S. arms embargoes, sanctions, or any security threat.

History

Historical Context

Nixon’s 1973 response to the OPEC oil embargo—when U.S. crude imports peaked at 6.2 million barrels per day and gasoline lines stretched nationwide—prompted him to name William E. Simon head of the new Federal Energy Office. On August 26, 2020, President Trump issued a comparable emergency order, directing Energy Secretary Chris Wright to bar foreign-made transformers, breakers and turbines.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to block foreign-made bulk-power system equipment.
The August 26 order tasks Energy Secretary Chris Wright with identifying and restricting foreign entities.
The Department of Energy has until Dec. 24 to issue rules naming banned equipment and suppliers.
The order bans transformers, breakers, inverters, battery storage, generators, turbines and control software.
Covered foreign entities include nations under U.S. arms embargoes, sanctions, or any security threat.

1 / 2