April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news coverings foreign affairs and international relations. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in related areas? Don't miss this week's updates in Defence and Social Issues. Also consider subscribing to our Foreign Affairs - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Executive Order Imposes Sanctions Targeting Repression and Threats in Cuba

On May 1, 2026, the President issued an executive order imposing sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the Cuban government for actions deemed to threaten U.S. national security and foreign policy. The sanctions block property and interests in property within the U.S. of designated entities and individuals operating in key sectors of the Cuban economy or involved in corruption, human rights abuses, or support for the Cuban government. Entry into the U.S. by such persons is suspended unless the Secretary of State determines admission is in the national interest. The order also allows the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to implement regulations and enforce the measures, and outlines compliance requirements for foreign financial institutions facilitating transactions. The executive order is part of a broader effort to address Cuban regime activities considered contrary to U.S. interests.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

President Trump Signs Law Amending FISA and Extending Surveillance Provisions

On April 30, 2026, the President signed S. 4465, amending the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities under Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. The law continues surveillance authorities integral to U.S. intelligence operations. The extension maintains rules around collection of foreign intelligence information and addresses technical updates identified by Congress as necessary for national security operations.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

U.S. Initiates Trade Remedy Actions on Multiple Fronts

The Department of Commerce initiated less-than-fair-value investigations into certain oil country tubular goods (OCTG) from Austria, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates, citing alleged dumping at margins up to 126.08% (event_id: U.S. Federal Announcements/120532). Concurrently, a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation was initiated on OCTG imports from Austria to determine the existence of government subsidies (event_id: U.S. Federal Announcements/120529). On May 1, Commerce also began a CVD probe regarding carbon and alloy steel wire rod imports from Algeria, covering 21 alleged subsidy programs (event_id: U.S. Federal Announcements/121438). Separately, Commerce rescinded the 2024 CVD administrative review of utility scale wind towers from Canada due to the absence of reviewable entries during the period of review (event_id: U.S. Federal Announcements/120734).

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

OFAC Publishes Additions to the Specially Designated Nationals List

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published new designations to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list on April 23, 2026. The listed individuals are subject to asset blocking measures under relevant sanctions authorities, prohibiting U.S. persons from transactions with the designees. The action stems from Executive Order 13694, as amended, and targets persons determined to be involved in activities undermining U.S. foreign policy.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Presidential Permit Issued for U.S.-Canada Crude Oil Pipeline Facility

On April 30, 2026, President Trump granted Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC a permit to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at the U.S.-Canada border in Phillips County, Montana. The permitted pipeline will transport crude oil and petroleum products, specifically excluding natural gas regulated under the Natural Gas Act. The permit sets conditions related to inspection, ownership transfer, facility removal upon termination, and compliance with national security concerns. It also requires the operator to maintain records and allows for government information requests without creating enforceable private rights against the government.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Multiple Resolutions and Bills Address U.S. Engagements Abroad and Trade

H. Con. Res. 75 directs the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran; the measure was cleared for House debate with controlled time (U.S. Congress Bills/7536). S.J. Res. 184, a Senate joint resolution to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran not authorized by Congress, failed to prevail on a 47-50 vote (U.S. Congress Bills/23795). S. Res. 715 recognizes threats to press freedom and calls for its prioritization in U.S. democracy support, now referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations (U.S. Congress Bills/25317). H.R. 8582 aims to nullify certain rules related to foreign assistance and is under review by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (U.S. Congress Bills/25831). H.R. 8615, which targets China's allegedly unfair trade practices in shipbuilding, was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (U.S. Congress Bills/25538).

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

State Government News

Indiana Enacts Law Banning Foreign Adversary Land Ownership and Imposes Transparency for Foreign Agents

On April 30, 2026, Indiana Governor Mike Braun ceremonially signed Senate Enrolled Act 256, co-authored by State Sen. Randy Maxwell (R-Guilford), into law, banning foreign adversaries including China, Iran, and Russia from purchasing any land in the state.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Senate Majority Leader Garten Champions Strict Foreign Agent Registration in Indiana

Senate Majority Leader Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) attended a ceremonial signing of Senate Enrolled Act 256, which creates the strictest transparency measures nationwide for foreign agents, including mandatory public disclosure and registration with the Indiana Attorney General.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana Bans Vaping Products Manufactured in Adversarial Nations

Governor Braun also enacted Senate Enrolled Act 185, authored by State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette), prohibiting the sale of vaping products from adversarial nations like China, following concerns about chemicals in products entering Indiana.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Indiana Expands Limitations on Land Purchases and Technology Contracts by Foreign Adversaries

State Sen. Eric Koch (R-Bedford) authored provisions in Senate Enrolled Act 256 to require full disclosure by foreign agents and prohibit hostile nations from acquiring land and state technology contracts.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

New York Returns Remains of WWII Airman Identified with DNA

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the return of WWII Airman Lt. Joseph L. Burke's remains to New York after his identification using DNA and long-term efforts by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

Indiana Continues Tightening Controls on Foreign Influence

State Sen. Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) noted several Indiana laws passed in 2026, including measures targeting foreign adversary land ownership, vaping imports, and restrictions on tax credits for adversary-controlled companies.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the Profitable Business of Peace: A look at the intersection of U.S. foreign diplomacy and business operations involving Board of Peace figures.
• The Board of Peace Speaks Up About Hamas: The Wall Street Journal examines the Peace Board's recent statements regarding Hamas and Gaza aid operations.
• Drone diplomacy wins Ukraine valuable allies, but now it must deliver: Ukraine's use of drone diplomacy has attracted international support but now faces the challenge of meeting operational expectations.
• Beyond IEEPA: When trade law becomes national security policy: Reuters analyzes how trade statutes are increasingly deployed as U.S. national security instruments.
• Mark Carney shares blueprint for domestic strength amid global chaos: Mark Carney outlines strategies for bolstering Canadian economic resilience amid worldwide disruption.

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