Trump Targets Foreign Grid Equipment as Data Centers Expand

President Trump issued an executive order declaring a national emergency over the US bulk-power system and restricting certain foreign-produced grid equipment to address national-security concerns. Data center operators expanding AI infrastructure need transformers, inverters, controls and other equipment to connect projects to the grid, and these components already face long lead times and supply constraints. The new restrictions could add further pressure on equipment procurement and delay new data center capacity from coming online. The Energy Department has 120 days to publish rules defining which equipment, suppliers and transactions are covered, and how restrictions apply to equipment already in use.