The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office summoned the Chinese Ambassador on Friday 8 May following convictions under the National Security Act Statement: FCDO Summons Chinese Ambassador An FCDO spokesperson said: On instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chinese Ambassador was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This summons follows the conclusion of a case which resulted in convictions under the National Security Act to assist the Hong K

Joint Statement on the United States – Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and Papua New Guinea on the occasion of the second United States – Papua New Guinea Strategic Partnership Dialogue in Port Moresby. Begin Text United States Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre and Independent State of Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John

United States Welcomes Paraguay’s Signing of the Artemis Accords The Department of State congratulates the Republic of Paraguay on joining the Artemis Accords. Paraguay is the 67th country to sign the Accords to date, pledging its commitment to peaceful space activities.   Minister President of the Paraguayan Space Agency Osvaldo Almirón Riveros signed the Accords on behalf of Paraguay on May 7, 2026. U.S. Embassy Asuncion Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Aaron Pratt shared remark

U.S. Sanctions Target Cuba’s Military Regime, Elites The Trump Administration is taking decisive action to protect U.S. national security and deprive Cuba’s communist regime and military of access to illicit assets. Today, I designated the following actors under President Trump’s Executive Order 14404 of May 1, 2026, “Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy”: GRUPO DE ADMINISTRACIO

Norway Joins Pax Silica Initiative On May 6, the United States welcomed the decision by the Kingdom of Norway to join the Pax Silica initiative. As a member of Pax Silica, Norway will play a leading role to develop diversified critical mineral supply chains. Norway’s Ambassador to the United States, Anniken Huitfeldt, signed the Pax Silica Declaration in Washington, D.C., officially acknowledging Norway’s participation in the initiative. The United States and Norway affirmed

Announcing the Closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar The U.S. Department of State is announcing the phased closure of the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar. Responsibility for diplomatic engagement with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will transfer to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. This decision reflects our commitment to the safety of our diplomatic personnel and efficient resource management. While our physical presence in Peshawar is changing, the Administration’s policy

U.S. Sanctions Tighten Grip on Iran-China Oil Trade The United States is taking decisive action to disrupt Iran’s oil trade, the primary revenue stream for the Iranian regime to fund terrorism and regional destabilization. Today, the Department of State sanctioned several entities, an individual, and a vessel involved in the trade of Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products. This action targeted Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co., Ltd., a China-based pet

U.S. Coalition Fractures Support for the IMO Global Carbon Tax, Protecting American Economic Interests U.S. diplomats at the 84th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) successfully delivered on President Trump’s America First foreign policy by forcing the organization to negotiate on alternative proposals that will not harm American consumers and businesses. By leading discussions at the IMO, the U.S. coalition

The U.S. Department of State Dedicates New U.S. Consulate General Casablanca Highlighting the strong partnership between the United States and Morocco, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau joined U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III, Moroccan government officials, and embassy and consulate general personnel to dedicate the new U.S. Consulate General Casablanca. As we look forward to celebrating 250 years of friendship between the United States and Morocco,