Foreign Affairs and Security
SummaryQuick take
As of Sep 28, 2026, several Foreign Affairs inputs could not be verified: the average effective tariff rate, the 30-day count of reported attacks on U.S. forces, and the 30-day count of leader-level meetings. The U.S. goods trade balance stood at -$118.9 billion for July 2026, and tariff actions continue, including new Section 338 measures against Canada. Sanctions activity is measurable: OFAC issued 13 actions in the past 30 days, adding roughly 84 SDN listings alongside several removals. No new combat operations appear in recent releases, while a state visit by China's president and a Denmark-Greenland agreement were the main diplomatic engagements in late September 2026.Some foreign-affairs facts couldn't be checked yet, but we know the trade gap and recent sanctions activity, while diplomacy and military activity had no verified new numbers.
Headline figuresKey numbers
Trade and Tariffs · Average effective tariff rateAverage tax on imports
Trade and Tariffs · Goods trade balanceWhat we sold minus what we bought (goods only)
Sanctions · OFAC actions (30-day)New sanctions actions this month
Systems in this sectionWhat we're watching
4 areas tracked. Select one for full detail and citations.Tap one to learn more.
Trade and Tariffs
UnknownNot sureU.S. goods trade deficit widened to $118.9 billion in July 2026; tariff actions continue with new Section 338 measures against Canada.The U.S. is buying more goods from other countries than it sells to them.
Average effective tariff rateAverage tax on imports
Sanctions
StableAll goodOFAC issued 13 recent actions in the past 30 days, adding roughly 84 SDN listings alongside several removals.The US added new sanctions at a steady pace and also removed some older ones.
OFAC actions (30-day)New sanctions actions this month
Conflicts Involving the US
UnknownNot sureNo new combat operations appear in recent releases; the 30-day attack count could not be verified from allowed sources.No new missions are announced. Troops are still overseas, but no official count of attacks this month was found.
Reported attacks on US forces (30-day)Attacks on US troops this month
Alliances and Diplomacy
UnknownNot sureA state visit by China's president and a Denmark-Greenland agreement were the main diplomatic engagements in late September 2026.The US hosted China's president for a state visit and signed an updated agreement with Denmark and Greenland.
Leader-level meetings (30-day)Meetings between world leaders
Key indicators
Recent developments
- Foreign Affairs / Trade and Tariffs
U.S.-China Board of Trade announces recommendations (opens original release)
The U.S.-China Board of Trade recommended $30 billion of trade in non-sensitive goods on each side that could benefit from more favorable tariff treatment.
Source: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - Foreign Affairs / Alliances and Diplomacy
State visit of President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan (opens original release)
White House briefings documented events surrounding the state visit of Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, and Madame Peng Liyuan, including a state dinner and cultural events, September 22-25, 2026.
Source: The White House - Foreign Affairs / Sanctions
OFAC publishes regulatory amendments and TSRA licensing report (opens original release)
OFAC published regulatory amendments and a report on licensing activities under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act.
Source: Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Treasury - Foreign Affairs / Conflicts Involving the US
The agreement, done at New York on Sept. 22, 2026, allows the US to modernize and expand activities at Pituffik Space Base and to establish additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and sets terms for US military access, basing and overflight in Greenland.
Source: The White House - Foreign Affairs / Conflicts Involving the US
USS Stout departs Norfolk for deployment operations (opens original release)
The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout left Naval Station Norfolk to begin deployment operations after months of training, maintenance and certification events.
Source: U.S. Department of War - Foreign Affairs / Alliances and Diplomacy
Agreement with Denmark and Greenland amended (opens original release)
The White House published an agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark together with the Government of Greenland to amend and supplement the agreement of 27 April.
Source: The White House