101 - The Secretary of Commerce
Department of Commerce Undergoing Significant Workforce and Trade Policy Changes
In the last few days, the Department of Commerce, under the guidance of its secretary, has been at the forefront of several significant developments and decisions.
One of the most notable announcements is the department's plan to reduce its workforce by 20% without resorting to layoffs. This initiative is part of a broader mandate from President Trump to cut staff across government agencies. The Commerce Department aims to achieve this reduction by leveraging various measures, including the "deferred resignation" offer, which has already seen about 1,600 employees agree to leave by September. Additionally, the department will offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to eligible employees, potentially affecting around 10,000 staff members. The plan also involves eliminating currently vacant funded positions and possibly extending the hiring freeze that is set to expire in April[1].
Another key area of focus for the Department of Commerce is the implementation of new trade policies. On March 12, 2025, the department began enforcing increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as outlined in Proclamations 10895 and 10896 signed by President Trump. These proclamations raise tariffs on aluminum products and certain steel and aluminum derivative products from 10% to 25%. The new tariffs also expand the list of derivative products subject to these duties and revoke all prior general approved exclusions effective March 12, 2025. The U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and other agencies, is revising the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to conform to these amendments[4].
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a part of the Department of Commerce, has also been active in revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Recent interim final rules have introduced new controls on advanced biotechnology tools, advanced computing integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence models to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. These changes include new license exceptions and updates to the Data Center Validated End User authorization to facilitate secure exports of advanced technologies. Additionally, BIS has added entities to the Entity List for actions contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests[2].
These moves underscore the Department of Commerce's multifaceted role in addressing national security, trade, and workforce management issues, all while navigating the complexities of implementing new policies and regulations. As these changes continue to unfold, they are likely to have significant impacts on both domestic and international trade, as well as the internal operations of the department itself.
One of the most notable announcements is the department's plan to reduce its workforce by 20% without resorting to layoffs. This initiative is part of a broader mandate from President Trump to cut staff across government agencies. The Commerce Department aims to achieve this reduction by leveraging various measures, including the "deferred resignation" offer, which has already seen about 1,600 employees agree to leave by September. Additionally, the department will offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to eligible employees, potentially affecting around 10,000 staff members. The plan also involves eliminating currently vacant funded positions and possibly extending the hiring freeze that is set to expire in April[1].
Another key area of focus for the Department of Commerce is the implementation of new trade policies. On March 12, 2025, the department began enforcing increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as outlined in Proclamations 10895 and 10896 signed by President Trump. These proclamations raise tariffs on aluminum products and certain steel and aluminum derivative products from 10% to 25%. The new tariffs also expand the list of derivative products subject to these duties and revoke all prior general approved exclusions effective March 12, 2025. The U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and other agencies, is revising the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to conform to these amendments[4].
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a part of the Department of Commerce, has also been active in revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Recent interim final rules have introduced new controls on advanced biotechnology tools, advanced computing integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence models to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. These changes include new license exceptions and updates to the Data Center Validated End User authorization to facilitate secure exports of advanced technologies. Additionally, BIS has added entities to the Entity List for actions contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests[2].
These moves underscore the Department of Commerce's multifaceted role in addressing national security, trade, and workforce management issues, all while navigating the complexities of implementing new policies and regulations. As these changes continue to unfold, they are likely to have significant impacts on both domestic and international trade, as well as the internal operations of the department itself.
- Broadcast on:
- 18 Mar 2025
In the last few days, the Department of Commerce, under the guidance of its secretary, has been at the forefront of several significant developments and decisions.
One of the most notable announcements is the department's plan to reduce its workforce by 20% without resorting to layoffs. This initiative is part of a broader mandate from President Trump to cut staff across government agencies. The Commerce Department aims to achieve this reduction by leveraging various measures, including the "deferred resignation" offer, which has already seen about 1,600 employees agree to leave by September. Additionally, the department will offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to eligible employees, potentially affecting around 10,000 staff members. The plan also involves eliminating currently vacant funded positions and possibly extending the hiring freeze that is set to expire in April[1].
Another key area of focus for the Department of Commerce is the implementation of new trade policies. On March 12, 2025, the department began enforcing increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as outlined in Proclamations 10895 and 10896 signed by President Trump. These proclamations raise tariffs on aluminum products and certain steel and aluminum derivative products from 10% to 25%. The new tariffs also expand the list of derivative products subject to these duties and revoke all prior general approved exclusions effective March 12, 2025. The U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and other agencies, is revising the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to conform to these amendments[4].
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a part of the Department of Commerce, has also been active in revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Recent interim final rules have introduced new controls on advanced biotechnology tools, advanced computing integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence models to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. These changes include new license exceptions and updates to the Data Center Validated End User authorization to facilitate secure exports of advanced technologies. Additionally, BIS has added entities to the Entity List for actions contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests[2].
These moves underscore the Department of Commerce's multifaceted role in addressing national security, trade, and workforce management issues, all while navigating the complexities of implementing new policies and regulations. As these changes continue to unfold, they are likely to have significant impacts on both domestic and international trade, as well as the internal operations of the department itself.
One of the most notable announcements is the department's plan to reduce its workforce by 20% without resorting to layoffs. This initiative is part of a broader mandate from President Trump to cut staff across government agencies. The Commerce Department aims to achieve this reduction by leveraging various measures, including the "deferred resignation" offer, which has already seen about 1,600 employees agree to leave by September. Additionally, the department will offer Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) to eligible employees, potentially affecting around 10,000 staff members. The plan also involves eliminating currently vacant funded positions and possibly extending the hiring freeze that is set to expire in April[1].
Another key area of focus for the Department of Commerce is the implementation of new trade policies. On March 12, 2025, the department began enforcing increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, as outlined in Proclamations 10895 and 10896 signed by President Trump. These proclamations raise tariffs on aluminum products and certain steel and aluminum derivative products from 10% to 25%. The new tariffs also expand the list of derivative products subject to these duties and revoke all prior general approved exclusions effective March 12, 2025. The U.S. International Trade Commission, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and other agencies, is revising the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to conform to these amendments[4].
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a part of the Department of Commerce, has also been active in revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Recent interim final rules have introduced new controls on advanced biotechnology tools, advanced computing integrated circuits, and artificial intelligence models to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. These changes include new license exceptions and updates to the Data Center Validated End User authorization to facilitate secure exports of advanced technologies. Additionally, BIS has added entities to the Entity List for actions contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests[2].
These moves underscore the Department of Commerce's multifaceted role in addressing national security, trade, and workforce management issues, all while navigating the complexities of implementing new policies and regulations. As these changes continue to unfold, they are likely to have significant impacts on both domestic and international trade, as well as the internal operations of the department itself.