This Week in Foreign Affairs — Washington (#19, 2026)
U.S. signs tech deal with Sweden; Treasury extends AGOA, redesignates Gabon; OFAC sanctions new Iran-linked entities; Indiana bans foreign adversaries from land ownership; new nuclear strategy advances.
May 17, 2026 to May 23, 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
Memorandum of Understanding Signed Between United States and Sweden for Technology Prosperity Deal
On May 22, 2026, the United States and Sweden formalized a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral collaboration in science and technology. The agreement covers trusted AI, 5G/6G, research security, antimicrobial resistance, nuclear energy, critical minerals, space partnerships, and defense technology transfer. Initiatives focus on research integrity and safeguarding intellectual property. The MOU is non-binding and subject to national laws, permitting modification or discontinuation with notice. Activities involving personal data require compliance with data protection rules. Intellectual property will be addressed separately by both governments.
Sources: www.whitehouse.gov
U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Designates Entities and Vessels Linked to Iranian Petroleum Sector
On May 19, 2026, OFAC announced the addition of multiple companies and vessels to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List under Executive Order 13902. The designations target entities involved in Iran's petroleum, petrochemical, and financial sectors, including firms registered in the UK, Hong Kong, Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, and others. Blocked vessels span diverse flags such as Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, and Barbados. U.S. persons are prohibited from transactions with these designees, and all property within U.S. jurisdiction is blocked. Full details are published on OFAC’s site.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
President Issues Proclamation Implementing Trade Measures under Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026
President Trump’s May 19 proclamation extends AGOA duty-free treatment and its apparel programs through December 31, 2026. Gabon is redesignated as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, effective January 1. Haiti's Economic Lift Program under CBERA is extended, with new apparel import percentage limits and duty-free treatment until December 31, 2026. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is updated to align with these changes. The U.S. Trade Representative will enact additional schedule modifications as required.
Sources: www.whitehouse.gov
Extension of Information Collection for International Mail Duty Worksheet under Executive Order 14324
On May 22, 2026, CBP sought public comment on renewing the International Mail Duty Worksheet (IMDW) under OMB Control Number 1651-0147. This follows Executive Order 14324, which suspends duty-free de minimis treatment for international shipments valued at $800 or less from all countries, including Canada, Mexico, China, and Hong Kong. Carriers must submit data by email to CBP; the annual burden is estimated at 2,400 hours across 1,200 responses. Comments are requested by June 22, directed to Seth Renkema at CBP.
Sources: www.federalregister.gov
Remarks on Nuclear Energy Policy Reforms on Anniversary of Nuclear Executive Orders
Director Michael Kratsios spoke at the Operation Gigawatt Summit in Utah, marking one year since President Trump’s nuclear executive orders. Recent reforms have accelerated reactor licensing, boosted domestic uranium production, and supported test projects for small modular reactors. The Department of Energy aims for criticality of at least three SMR test projects by July 2026. Investments exceeded $2.5 billion in enrichment, with initiatives like the Janus Program planning deployment of microreactors to military installations by 2028. The NRC has modernized processes and developed a fusion energy framework. At least five gigawatts of nuclear power are intended to be added to the grid by 2030.
Sources: www.whitehouse.gov
Legislative Updates
A bill to incentivize, streamline, and sustain United States foreign government partner procurement of United States-origin cyber and digital technologies.
Bill 4570 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill proposes measures to facilitate U.S. cyber and digital technology exports to foreign government partners.
Sources: www.congress.gov
A bill focused on unmanned and autonomous systems for Indo-Pacific and Western Hemisphere defense and burden sharing.
Bill 4633 requires a strategy for integrating unmanned and autonomous systems in key regions. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sources: www.congress.gov
A bill to require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy.
Bill 4600 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It seeks to establish a dedicated strategy for U.S. diplomatic engagement in the South China Sea.
Sources: www.congress.gov
A bill to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 relating to the recall and reappointment of career members.
Bill 4642 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. The bill considers new procedures for recalling and reappointing career Foreign Service members.
Sources: www.congress.gov
A bill to amend the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2026 to require inclusion of certain foreign persons in the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List.
Bill 4581 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. It addresses modifications to existing lists of foreign military-industrial entities.
Sources: www.congress.gov
State Government News
Indiana Enacts Strict Ban on Foreign Adversaries Owning Land and Mandates Registration of Foreign Agents
Governor Braun ceremonially signed Senate Enrolled Act 256, authored by Sen. Chris Garten, which bans companies from adversarial nations from owning land in Indiana and requires foreign agents to disclose funding and activities.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Indiana Law Blocks Foreign Adversaries from Land Ownership, Requires Registration and Disclosure
Senator Eric Koch’s Senate Enrolled Act 256, signed on April 30, prohibits hostile countries from purchasing land, mandates registration of agents, and blocks state funding for affiliates of foreign terror organizations.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Port Expansion Project in Indiana Aims to Boost International Grain Trade
Senator Jim Tomes attended a groundbreaking for a new soybean facility at the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, which will triple grain handling capacity and enhance export logistics.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Indiana Strengthens Ban on Adversaries’ Land Ownership and Restricts Chemical Imports
Senator Daryl Schmitt supported SEA 256, restricting land ownership and enhancing agent registration, and SEA 185, banning chemicals in vaping products from foreign adversaries.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Indiana Law Signed to Prevent Foreign Adversaries from Land Ownership and Sensitive Contracts
Senator Randy Maxwell co-authored SEA 256, which prohibits land purchases by adversarial nations and blocks state contracts with businesses controlled by hostile entities.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
Governatorial Signing for Ban on Foreign-Made Vaping Products in Indiana
Senator Ron Alting’s SEA 185, signed into law, prohibits sale of vaping products produced in adversarial nations such as China, responding to concerns raised by federal agencies.
Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com
What We're Reading This Week
- How the War in Iran Helped Ukraine Go From Problem to Solution: Ukraine leveraged shifts from the Iran conflict to resolve supply and security challenges.
- How Iran Gained Leverage in the War: Iran's actions reshaped control of the Strait of Hormuz amid intensified regional pressures.
- What the world gets wrong about Ukraine: Common misconceptions regarding Ukraine’s current geopolitical situation are dissected.
- Iran War Exposes Shortcomings in U.S. Military Industrial Base: U.S. military industrial supply issues became apparent during operations in Iran.
- Opinion | The Pro-Israel Case Against Military Aid: Arguments presented for reconsidering U.S. military funding to Israel.
- Inside the unraveling of U.S. diplomacy under Trump: Examination of recent shifts and breakdowns in U.S. diplomatic efforts.
- Malaysia seeks more than $250 million from Norway over axed defence deal: Malaysia moves for compensation after cancellation of a major defense contract with Norway.
- What the End of Aid Looks Like: Impact of aid reductions and shifting global alliances in Somalia and broader regions.
- The Oil Mystery at the Heart of America’s Pressure Campaign on Iran: Investigation into the central role of oil in recent U.S. policy moves targeting Iran.
