September 06, 2026 to September 12, 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

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on Trojan Horses: Covert Foreign Malign Influence Operations in America: Scheduled for September 15, 2026, the House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee will examine foreign malign influence operations with witnesses from The Jamestown Foundation, Bitcoin Policy Institute, The Heritage Foundation, and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
• House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Policy and Regional Security Challenges in the Western Balkans: On September 15, 2026, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe will discuss U.S. policy and regional security issues in the Balkans, with testimony from Deputy Assistant Secretary Daniel Lawton (State Department).
• House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee Hearing on Confronting the Totalitarian Ortega-Murillo Regime: The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere will hold a hearing on September 15, 2026, focusing on the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, with Deputy Assistant Secretary Ana Quintana-Lovett as witness.
• House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Hearing: Lives, not Leverage: the Long Arm of China and North Korea’s Repression: On September 16, 2026, the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee will take up repression by China and North Korea, with testimony from The Jamestown Foundation, a North Korean refugee, and a victim of PRC repression.
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee Open Hearings to Examine Certain Pending Nominations (September 16): The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold an open hearing in Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 16, 2026, addressing pending nominations.
• Senate Foreign Relations Committee Open Hearings to Examine Certain Pending Nominations (September 17): On September 17, 2026, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will convene to consider pending nominations in Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Federal Government News

White House Announces Tariffs and Import Bans on Canadian Products Under Section 338

President Donald J. Trump signed five proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in response to Canada’s retaliatory tariffs affecting $20 billion in U.S. exports, including steel, dairy, and agricultural equipment. The measures include import bans on certain Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy, and other goods, and modifications to existing tariffs—removing products such as rock salt and cement, while adding all-terrain vehicles and more dairy products. The tariffs supplement Section 232 duties and apply irrespective of USMCA origin. Import bans are scheduled to take effect on September 29, 2026, with product changes effective September 15, 2026. Trump also directed the removal of Canadian-origin products from federal procurement schedules.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Federal Communications Commission Finalizes Supply Chain Equipment Authorization Rule

On September 11, the Federal Communications Commission adopted amendments to its equipment authorization rules targeting national security risks in the communications supply chain. The regulation prohibits authorization of devices with logic-bearing hardware components produced by entities listed on the FCC's Covered List and requires any modifications by those entities to undergo full recertification. Marketing rules were clarified, requiring online marketplaces to display a device's FCC ID at the point of sale and specifying implementation deadlines for compliance. The new definition of 'critical infrastructure' follows DHS's sectoral guidance. Costs for online marketplaces are estimated at up to $300 million for implementation and $40 million annually for compliance. The final rule is effective October 13, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Treasury Department Publishes General License 35 Under Sanctions Regulations

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control released General License 35, which authorizes the wind-down of transactions involving specific blocked entities under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations. The license permits transactions involving Comercializadora y Arrendadora de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (CAMSA), Casino Centenario, Diamante Casino, among others, provided payments are made into blocked accounts. The authorization is valid until May 14, 2026. Transactions not explicitly authorized remain prohibited, and the full license text is available on OFAC’s website.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

State Department Suspends Cyprus Arms Policy Through September 2027

The Department of State amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to suspend Cyprus’s status as a proscribed destination for defense articles from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. This follows an annual certification that the Republic of Cyprus is cooperating with U.S. anti-money laundering and financial regulatory oversight reforms and continues steps to restrict Russian military vessels’ access to Cypriot ports. Licensing activities involving Cyprus will be reviewed case-by-case. The rule is effective October 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Adjusts Delegations Under the Defense Production Act

President Trump issued an executive order amending delegations under the Defense Production Act. The adjustment grants the Secretaries of the Interior and Energy independent authority on energy-related matters. Disputes will be referred to the National Energy Dominance Council or National Security Council, as appropriate. Additional clarifications address authority over energy production, construction, and distribution. The amendments do not create enforceable legal rights and are subject to appropriations.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Canada agrees on C$350 million air defense package for Ukraine, Carney says: Canada commits C$350 million in air defense equipment to Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.
• Modi, Putin seek stronger ties as Russia calls for BRICS to counter West: Modi and Putin hold talks in Delhi, with Russia urging BRICS states to challenge Western influence.
• The evolution of BRICS and its challenges today: Reuters reviews recent changes and difficulties facing BRICS group, including economic and political tensions.
• Why Emerging Powers Keep Joining BRICS, Even When They Disagree: New York Times examines continued BRICS expansion, with members joining despite policy disagreements.
• Costly Conflicts With Canada and Iran Loom Over Trump’s Midterm Pitch: New York Times discusses how trade and political disputes with Canada and Iran affect U.S. midterm politics.
• Somaliland pitches itself as bulwark in Middle East: Politico covers Somaliland’s efforts to position itself as a strategic security player in the Middle East.
• In Ukraine, Fraud and Waste Are Rewarded With More Weapons Contracts: New York Times outlines continued arms procurement issues in Ukraine involving fraud and mismanagement.
• I guarded Ground Zero and served in Middle East. Then I saw a pattern.: USA Today opinion piece connects congressional war powers to experiences in the Middle East and September 11.
• Opinion | JD Vance’s Pitch to Sell Young Americans on Israel: Wall Street Journal reviews Senator JD Vance’s messaging strategy to younger voters regarding U.S.-Israel relations.

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