U.S. and Philippines reaffirm South China Sea cooperation.
Today's events
South China Sea.
Secretary of State Rubio and Philippine President Marcos reaffirmed the treaty alliance, backed building out the Luzon Economic Corridor, and discussed easing the region's energy challenges and advancing South China Sea security.1May 31 · StateFed independence.
Accepting the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in Boston, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell defended the central bank's independence, saying its policy decisions do not take into account the fortunes of any political party or politician.2May 31 · FedEbola response.
State and the CDC said U.S. assistance against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has exceeded $162 million, atop $350 million in pooled humanitarian funds routed to the region.3May 29 · StateSteel trade dispute.
Maverick Tube Corporation filed a USMCA panel-review request challenging Canada's antidumping duties on U.S.-made oil-country tubular goods — the steel pipe used to drill and case oil and gas wells.4May 4 · CommerceWind-tower duties.
Commerce's final review found utility-scale wind towers from South Korea were sold in the U.S. below fair value in 2023–2024, sustaining antidumping duties on the clean-energy imports.5Jun 1 · CommerceClean Air permits.
The EPA rescinded its 2023 rule, reinstating emergency “affirmative defense” protections for industrial operators in Clean Air Act permits, complying with a 2025 D.C. Circuit decision that voided the removal.6Jun 1 · EPAUnion finances.
The Labor Department finalized a rule adding a longer LM-2 “Long Form” for the largest unions and tightening financial-reporting thresholds, effective July, to promote financial integrity and transparency.7Jun 1 · DOLCancer-drug testing.
The FDA issued draft guidance letting makers of cancer biologics and conjugated drugs streamline animal-toxicology studies, aiming to speed development while cutting use of non-human primates.8Jun 1 · FDAOrgan-transplant model.
Medicare finalized updates to its mandatory Increasing Organ Transplant Access model, which pays kidney-transplant hospitals to raise transplant volumes, for its second performance year beginning July.9Jun 1 · CMS
Allied Governments
AUKUS ministers.
Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. reaffirmed their submarine and advanced-capabilities partnership, with British and American boats set to rotate through Australia's HMAS Stirling base from 2027.aMay 30 · UK MoDUnderwater drones.
The three AUKUS nations launched a first-of-its-kind project to develop uncrewed underwater vehicles — named the pact's inaugural signature project — accelerating its “Pillar 2” advanced-technology track.bMay 30 · UK MoD
Voices
“We do not take into account the fortunes of any political party or politician in making those decisions.”
Fed Chair Jerome Powell · May 312
“The United States is proud to be the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response effort.”
U.S. Dept. of State, Ebola Response Update · May 293
“The guidance is intended to facilitate drug development for biological products and conjugated products for the treatment of cancer while avoiding unnecessary animal use.”
FDA Draft Guidance for Industry · June 18
“This rescission is necessary to carry out the court's mandate and reinstates the emergency-related affirmative defense provisions as they existed in the Code of Federal Regulations.”
EPA, Final Rule · June 16
“The IOTA Model is aimed at kidney transplant hospitals with the goal of increasing the number of kidney transplants, improving quality, and improving patient experience during the transplant process.”
CMS Innovation Center, IOTA Model · June 19
“[Sales of] utility scale wind towers from the Republic of Korea were made at less than normal value during the period of review.”
U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Final AD Review · June 15
Sources
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Secretary Rubio's Call with Philippine President Marcos, Jr.,” May 31, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/rubio-call-marcos
- Federal Reserve, “Powell, Acceptance Remarks” (2026 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award), May 31, 2026. federalreserve.gov/…/powell20260531a
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Ebola Response Update – May 29, 2026,” May 29, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/ebola-response-update
- U.S. Dept. of Commerce / USMCA Secretariat, “USMCA Article 10.12: Notice of Request for Panel Review” (Oil Country Tubular Goods; filed May 4, 2026), published June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/usmca-octg-panel-review
- U.S. Dept. of Commerce, “Utility Scale Wind Towers From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review; 2023–2024,” June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/korea-wind-towers-ad
- Environmental Protection Agency, “Rescission of Title V Emergency Affirmative Defense Rule,” June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/title-v-affirmative-defense
- U.S. Dept. of Labor, “Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports” (Final Rule), June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/labor-organization-financial-reports
- Food and Drug Administration, “Oncology Pharmaceuticals: Streamlined Nonclinical Safety Studies for Biologics and Conjugated Products” (Draft Guidance), June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/oncology-streamlined-safety
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “Medicare Program; Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model” (PY2 Final Rule), June 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/iota-transplant-model
- UK Ministry of Defence, “AUKUS Defence Ministerial Joint Statement: 30 May 2026,” May 30, 2026. gov.uk/government/…/aukus-ministerial-joint-statement
- UK Ministry of Defence, “Cutting-edge underwater tech for AUKUS forces to be developed through landmark partnership,” May 30, 2026. gov.uk/government/…/aukus-underwater-tech