On Thursday, President Trump signed four proclamations aimed at providing a two-year regulatory exemption for key industries impacted by the environmental regulations under the Biden administration. The industries covered include coal-fired power plants, red iron ore processing facilities, and some chemical enterprises, whose products are widely used in the semiconductor, medical device sterilization, advanced manufacturing, and defense sectors.
According to a White House statement, these facilities will be allowed to operate based on the pre-Biden administration environmental standards for the next two years to avoid the high costs associated with meeting emission requirements considered “technologically unfeasible,” ensuring the stability of the energy and defense supply chains.
Trump criticized the environmental policies during the Biden era as overly harsh, not only raising business costs but also endangering energy security, economic vitality, and national defense infrastructure. He warned that if companies are forced to shut down to comply with regulations, it could lead to unstable power grids, power shortages, exacerbate reliance on foreign energy and semiconductors, impact the sterilization capacity of medical and military equipment, and weaken steel supply for infrastructure development.
Trump reiterated his stance on “practical environmental protection,” advocating for maintaining the economy and strategic autonomy while protecting the environment. During his first term, he repealed Obama’s Clean Power Plan and implemented the Affordable Clean Energy rule to alleviate industry burdens and preserve employment.
He also emphasized expanding domestic oil and natural gas production, encouraging companies to develop more efficient and cost-effective emission reduction technologies to avoid energy and economic crises caused by “impractical” regulations.
Since returning to the political scene, Trump has consistently prioritized national security and the economy in his governance, addressing the concerns of conservatives regarding the impact of green regulations on industry development. Environmental groups and Democratic officials, however, believe that this move may weaken climate resilience, posing long-term risks to public health and the environment. The extension of temporary exemptions in the future will depend on policy direction and congressional positions.