THE WEEK OF STATE,update

 

May 15 – May 21 On May 22, Secretary Rubio will travel to Sweden and India. Secretary Rubio will travel to Sweden and India. In Sweden, he will attend the NATO meeting of foreign ministers. In India, the Secretary will discuss energy security, trade, and defense cooperation. Here’s what happened at State this week.  President Trump secured historic deals with China. Secretary Rubio addressed the Cuban people on Cuba’s Independence Day.  The U.S. is responding to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda. President Trump Secures Historic Deals with China President Trump walks with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing, May 14, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) During President Trump’s historic visit to the People’s Republic of China, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that the United States and China should build a constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of fairness and reciprocity. The two leaders advanced agreements on global security, including a shared commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea and preventing a nuclear Iran. To optimize economic ties, President Trump and President Xi chartered the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the U.S.-China Board of Investment. President Trump also negotiated a sweeping package of commitments that will drive high-paying American jobs and open new markets for U.S. goods. The areas of consensus include: Securing critical mineral supply chains Restoring market access for U.S. beef and poultry Finalizing major purchases of American agricultural products and Boeing aircraft These initiatives will “enhance stability and confidence for businesses and consumers around the world,” the White House said, delivering tangible economic prosperity for the U.S. while strengthening global market stability. Countering Cuba’s Regime, Supporting the Cuban People On Cuba’s Independence Day, Secretary Rubio delivered a video message to the Cuban people, reaffirming the United States’ unwavering solidarity with their pursuit of freedom and self-determination. Addressing the severe humanitarian crisis on the island, Secretary Rubio exposed how the military-controlled conglomerate, Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), plunders Cuba’s economy to enrich a small elite while ordinary citizens endure prolonged blackouts and food shortages.  “President Trump is offering a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba,” the Secretary said in his message, delivered in Spanish. “But it must be directly with you, the Cuban people, not with GAESA.” Secretary Rubio emphasized that the United States is prepared to offer $100 million in direct foreign assistance through trusted charitable groups.  Looking forward, the Secretary outlined a vision for a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba relations. This vision is centered on supporting a free Cuba where citizens can freely exercise their fundamental rights, express political dissent, and build independent, prosperous lives. U.S. Responds to Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda The Department of State, in close coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lead agency for the U.S. Government response, is actively responding to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.   The Department’s first priority is the protection of Americans and the American homeland. To protect American citizens, the Department has issued Level 4 travel advisories for the region and activated a dedicated Ebola Response Task Force. The Department is working with interagency partners to evacuate, for medical treatment and/or quarantine and procedures, any affected American citizens. Americans in the affected countries can find updates, contact numbers, and travel information at Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak. The Department is also working across our consular and travel operations to implement CDC’s Title 42 order restricting entry of foreign nationals who have been to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days. The Department has issued updated Level 4 travel advisories for all three countries: no American citizens or permanent residents should travel to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan for any reason. Americans should remain vigilant of CDC guidelines on isolation and quarantine if they are departing the region. The Department has also taken the following actions to support the interagency and global response to this outbreak:  A rapid, integrated U.S. government response Deployment of disaster assistance response team (DART) Expanded humanitarian and health assistance, including funding the establishment of up to 50 Ebola response clinics Strengthening early detection and response capacity Decisive measures to safeguard American citizens Coordinated international engagement and private sector cooperation The United States is “stepping up to help drive a fast, fully resourced and coordinated global response,” said Under Secretary of State Jeremy Lewin.

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