Trump meets Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Today's events
Trump–Xi summit.
In Beijing, the President met President Xi Jinping — a state banquet and tea — before flying home, according to newly published presidential remarks.1Jun 30 · WHUSMCA not renewed.
The United States declined to renew the U.S.–Mexico–Canada trade pact at its joint review; the deal stays in force pending talks, with another round with Mexico set for the week of July 20.2Jul 1 · USTRAlibaba settlement.
Alibaba and its U.S. payment processor agreed to pay $600 million to resolve Justice Department claims they failed to stop merchants from importing illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, and pill presses into the United States.3Jul 1 · DOJVenezuela relief.
U.S. forces deployed to Venezuela after two June 24 earthquakes; the USS Fort Lauderdale is berthed at La Guaira as a medical and supply hub, with Air Force planes flying in search-and-rescue teams.4Jul 1 · DODFertilizer emergency.
The President issued Proclamation 11038 declaring an emergency and temporarily suspending U.S. duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco.5Jul 1 · WHCuba influence op.
Secretary Rubio revoked the legal status of a longtime operative of Cuba's ICAP influence front; the man, his wife, and son were arrested and face removal. ICAP was sanctioned this month under Executive Order 14404.6Jul 1 · StateScattered Spider.
A 19-year-old dual U.S.–Estonian citizen was extradited from Finland to Chicago on conspiracy, computer-intrusion, and fraud charges tied to the hacking group blamed for over 100 intrusions and more than $100 million in ransoms.7Jul 1 · DOJGene therapy.
The FDA approved Casgevy, a CRISPR therapy, for children as young as 2 with sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — the first such gene therapy cleared for patients that young.8Jul 1 · FDAAI bias policy.
The Federal Trade Commission proposed a policy statement warning that AI firms which skew model outputs for “undisclosed ideological objectives” may violate consumer-protection law, and asserting federal preemption of state AI rules like Colorado's.9Jul 1 · FTC
Allied Governments
UK defence plan.
The Prime Minister unveiled a £15 billion boost within a £298 billion, four-year Defence Investment Plan — funding drones, fighter jets, and the nuclear deterrent, and lifting UK defence spending toward 2.7% of GDP.aJun 30 · UK MoDNATO in Berlin.
Secretary General Mark Rutte met Chancellor Merz and Defence Minister Pistorius in Berlin, praising Germany's defence investment as “an extraordinary achievement” ahead of next week's NATO summit in Ankara.bJul 1 · NATOUK on Russia.
At the OSCE, the UK said Russia “speaks of peace but refuses a ceasefire” while sustaining some 38,000 casualties a month, and demanded an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.cJul 1 · UK FCDO
Voices
“The United States did not agree to renew the USMCA in its current form. As a result, the USMCA is not renewed.”
Amb. Jamieson Greer, USTR · Jul 12
“Under the Trump Administration, America will never become home for Cuban Communist regime thugs who peddle propaganda, run foreign influence operations, or seek to wage revolution against American civilization.”
U.S. Department of State · Jul 16
“Scattered Spider has repeatedly targeted U.S. companies, extorting employees, inflicting millions of dollars in losses, and disrupting essential operations.”
Asst. Director Brett Leatherman, FBI Cyber Division · Jul 17
“This crucial input will help the Commission formulate a final policy that advances President Donald Trump's goal of expanding America's global dominance in artificial intelligence.”
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson · Jul 19
“With today's decision, pediatric patients as young as 2 years of age can now access a critical additional treatment option to treat these debilitating, life-threatening diseases.”
Acting CBER Director Karim Mikhail, FDA · Jul 18
“We will continue to partner to ensure that cybercriminals cannot evade the reach of the United States.”
AAG A. Tysen Duva, DOJ Criminal Division · Jul 17
Sources
- GovInfo — Presidential Documents, “Remarks at a State Banquet With President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing, China” (DCPD-202600341), June 30, 2026. govinfo.gov/app/details/DCPD-202600341
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, “Ambassador Greer Issues Statement on the USMCA Joint Review,” July 1, 2026. ustr.gov/…/ambassador-greer-usmca-joint-review
- U.S. Dept. of Justice, “Alibaba Group and AUS Merchant Services Agree to Pay $600 Million to Resolve Allegations of Illegal Product Sales,” July 1, 2026. justice.gov/opa/pr/…/alibaba-600-million
- U.S. Dept. of Defense (War.gov), “U.S. Military Supports Venezuela Earthquake Response,” July 1, 2026. war.gov/News/…/us-military-venezuela-earthquake
- Federal Register, “Phosphate Fertilizer From Morocco; Declaration of Emergency and Authorization for Temporary Duty-Free Importation” (Proclamation 11038), July 1, 2026. federalregister.gov/…/phosphate-fertilizer-morocco
- U.S. Dept. of State, “Secretary Rubio Terminates Legal Status of Cuban Communist Foreign Influence Operative,” July 1, 2026. state.gov/releases/…/rubio-cuban-influence-operative
- U.S. Dept. of Justice, “Alleged Member of Criminal Cyber Hacking Group ‘Scattered Spider’ Arrested in Finland and Extradited to the United States,” July 1, 2026. justice.gov/opa/pr/…/scattered-spider-extradited
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Approves First Gene Therapy for Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease,” July 1, 2026. fda.gov/news-events/…/gene-therapy-sickle-cell-children
- Federal Trade Commission, “FTC Seeks Public Comment on Policy Statement Addressing AI Accuracy,” July 1, 2026. ftc.gov/news-events/…/ai-accuracy-policy-statement
- UK Ministry of Defence, “£15 billion new funding boost to transform Armed Forces and keep the UK safe,” June 30, 2026. gov.uk/government/news/…/15-billion-funding-boost-armed-forces
- NATO News, “NATO Secretary General in Berlin: Germany leads and Germany delivers,” July 1, 2026. nato.int/…/germany-leads-and-germany-delivers
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO), “Russia talks peace while waging war: UK statement to the OSCE,” July 1, 2026. gov.uk/government/speeches/…/russia-talks-peace-while-waging-war