United States · US–China economic relations · 2026-09-20
US-China talks update: Washington proposes AI incident alerts as trade board starts
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington proposed a notification mechanism for AI incidents with national-security implications during the September 20 New York talks. The two sides also launched a Board of Trade to study tariff changes for some nonsensitive goods. No tariff agreement was announced, and China's response to the AI proposal is not public.
Trump says planned Washington triumphal arch will double as military complex
President Donald Trump said on September 20 that his proposed 250-foot triumphal arch between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery would also host drones and snipers and store ammunition. The project lacks final planning approval, and the White House and Pentagon have not independently confirmed the military request he cited.
US lifts sanctions on Eritrea's ruling party, military and linked entities
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control confirmed that Eritrea's ruling party, defense forces and entities including the Red Sea Trading Corporation were removed from the SDN list after a 2021 national emergency tied to Ethiopia's humanitarian and human-rights crisis expired.
Trump says he will create an ‘AI Force’ and name an AI chief; structure remains undisclosed
President Donald Trump said in a public social-media post on September 19 that he would create an ‘AI Force’ to oversee artificial-intelligence regulation and appoint an AI chief in the near future. The White House had not released an executive order, membership, authority or timetable.
The Federal Communications Commission approved Paramount's proposed indirect foreign-ownership structure for its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. Saudi, Qatari and Emirati sovereign funds committed a combined $24 billion, with non-voting interests; antitrust litigation still prevents the transaction from closing.
United States · Health and drug pricing · 2026-09-18
All 50 states join Medicaid international-reference drug pricing model
The Trump administration announced on September 18 that all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico agreed to participate in Medicaid's GENEROUS drug-pricing model, under which participating manufacturers offer prices for selected medicines closer to those in other wealthy countries.
U.S. approves possible $2.7 billion Ukraine air-defense upgrade sale
The U.S. State Department approved a possible $2.7 billion sale to Ukraine covering air-defense upgrades, missiles, launcher modifications and counter-drone radars. Congress has been notified and must still review the proposal.
United States · Immigration and visas · 2026-09-18
US extends H-1B entry restrictions for one year; $100,000 payment remains for covered petitions
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on September 18 extending restrictions on entry under parts of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program for 12 months, through September 21, 2027. Covered petitions remain subject to a $100,000 payment with limited exceptions. This continues an existing restriction; it does not abolish the H-1B program.
Trump signs Russia sanctions law granting tariff powers of up to 100% against major energy buyers
President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5334 on September 18, enacting the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The law expands sanctions on Russia’s energy, defense and shadow fleet and authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian oil and gas and countries that facilitate sanctions evasion.
Update: CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue over White House ban and seek temporary restraining order
CNN, MS NOW and Politico jointly sued the Trump administration in federal court in Washington on September 21, alleging that the White House revoked credentials and barred reporters because it objected to their coverage, violating First Amendment and due-process rights. The outlets asked for a temporary restraining order blocking the ban.
Trump orders steps to restrict Canadian goods from U.S. federal civilian procurement
A September 16 presidential memorandum directs U.S. agencies to identify Canadian-origin items and pursue legally permitted steps to remove them from federal civilian procurement. It does not immediately ban every Canadian product from government purchasing.
United States · Diplomacy