August 31, 2026
The order is not yet in effect, but will supposedly cover all deals “initiated” after 26 August 2026. Image: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
US President Donald Trump has banned the import of inverters, transformers and other power equipment that pose a potential risk to US grid security.
In an emergency executive order yesterday, President Trump said: “Certain foreign actors are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in the United States bulk-power system,” and declared a “national emergency” over the “unusual and extraordinary threat” posed by foreign-made power equipment.
The order covers specific power system equipment, including grid-connected inverters, transformers and battery energy storage systems (BESS). It only encompasses equipment that interacts with transmission lines of 69kV or greater, not including distributed energy sources or local distribution grids.
