US President Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. AFP
US President Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. AFP
US President Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. AFP
US President Donald Trump holds an executive order he signed during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20. AFP

How many executive orders has Trump signed and which ones affect the Middle East?


Sara Ruthven
  • English
  • Arabic

US President Donald Trump signed about 140 executive orders in his first 100 days in office.

His orders, more than any other president has signed in their first 100 days, are an attempt to advance his “Make America Great Again” agenda and reverse policies introduced by previous administrations.

Mr Trump signed 220 executive orders over the course of his first four-year term. His predecessor – and successor – Joe Biden signed 162.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has signed only five bills sent to him by Congress into law.

The National looks at some of the most significant foreign policy orders orders

America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State

This order directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "champion core American interests" and always put the US first. It also directs him to bring the department in line with the Trump administration's agenda. Mr Rubio has ordered a slimming down of the "bloated" department and announced the closing of scores of offices that do not align with the administration's agenda. Read more

Unleashing American Energy

This order calls for the "energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters" as well as ensuring US energy independence. While the US is a net exporter of oil, it still imports large amounts of petroleum from other countries, in particular Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Brazil. Read more

Realigning the US Refugee Admissions Programme

This order froze refugee resettlement, as the US does not have the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants. The administration has also terminated or will allow to expire protected status for people from several countries. There are concerns that Mr Trump will once again enact the so-called Muslim ban that would block citizens of Muslim-majority countries from coming to the US.

Re-evaluating and Realigning US Foreign Aid

This order effectively froze all US foreign aid and initiated the dissolution of USAID, the agency primarily responsible for distributing assistance worldwide, including in countries in the Middle East. Read more

Designation of Ansar Allah [the Yemeni Houthis] as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation

This order reinstates the designation of Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organisation, which was rolled back under the Biden administration. It freezes Houthi assets in the US and bars members of the organisation from entering the country. Read more

The Iron Dome for America

This order is part of Mr Trump's "peace through strength" policy and calls for the construction of a "next-generation missile defence shield", similar to the one possessed by Israel.

Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism

This order states the administration will "prosecute, remove or otherwise hold to account" those involved in anti-Semitic activity. It comes after a wave of pro-Palestine protests on university campuses across the country last year. Many in Mr Trump's Republican Party accused the student protesters of being infiltrated by Hamas and spreading hate against the Jewish community. Read more

Withdrawing the US from, and Ending Funding to Certain UN Organisations

This order accuses some UN agencies of drifting "from this mission and instead act contrary to the interests of the United States while attacking our allies and propagating anti-Semitism". It calls for a review of US membership in Unesco, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the agency for Palestinian refugees.

Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court

This order comes after the court - to which the US is not a signatory - issued arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister and his defence minister at the time amid the Gaza war. The US is under ICC investigation over alleged war crimes committed during its invasion of Afghanistan. Read more

Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices that Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual US Goods Trade Deficits

This order established a blanket 10 per cent tariff on all US trading partners, with Syria, Israel, Iraq and other Middle East countries hit with additional levies. Mr Trump paused the tariffs for 90 days on April 9 for negotiations to take place. Read more

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington April 17, 2025. Reuters
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington April 17, 2025. Reuters

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

The biog

Born November 11, 1948
Education: BA, English Language and Literature, Cairo University
Family: Four brothers, seven sisters, two daughters, 42 and 39, two sons, 43 and 35, and 15 grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and traveling

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THE TWIN BIO

Their favourite city: Dubai

Their favourite food: Khaleeji

Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach

Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll

Updated: May 01, 2025, 4:35 PM`