Trump Signs 3 Big Executive Orders

President Trump had a busy morning, signing three executive orders on trade, abortion, and federal hiring, and issuing a warning to US companies that they'll be penalized if they move overseas. Details:

• TPP: As promised, Trump signed an order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which the New York Times points out is President Obama's most important trade deal, though it was never ratified by Congress. Coupled with Trump's promise to renegotiate NAFTA, Trump's trade stance is "a drastic reversal of decades of economic policy in which presidents of both parties have lowered trade barriers and expanded ties around the world."

• Hiring freeze: Trump kept another campaign promise to freeze federal hiring, except for employees involved with national security such as members of the military. The Washington Post reports that employees hired in a late rush by the outgoing Obama administration who have not started their new jobs yet may be out of luck.
• Abortion: Trump reinstated a rule that prevents federal money from going to international aid groups that provide abortions or offer information about the procedure. Politico notes that the "Mexico City policy" has been put in place by every GOP president since Reagan and rescinded by Democratic presidents.
• 'Border tax': In a meeting with business leaders Monday, Trump reinforced his "America first" message, reports the Wall Street Journal. He promised incentives for those who work and hire in the US but added, “if you go to another country ... we are going to be imposing a very major border tax.”

(More President Trump stories.)