U.S. Department of State :The Week at State: April 24 - April 30, 2026

 

April 24 – April 30 President Trump and the First Lady welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla for a State Visit. Secretary Rubio discusses Iran, Cuba, and more in an interview with Trey Yingst of Fox News. Here’s what happened at State this week.  Secretary Rubio met with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and took an important step in securing our supply chains. The State Department unveiled a special edition design for U.S. passports to commemorate the United States’ upcoming semiquincentennial.  Direct U.S. flights to Venezuela resumed for the first time in seven years. President Trump Welcomes King Charles III President Trump and the First Lady pose for photos with King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House before a State Dinner, Tuesday, April 28. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok) Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla came to the United States for a State Visit to mark America’s 250th anniversary on April 27-30.  “King Charles III is fantastic. He’s a great friend of mine and a phenomenal representative for his country,” said President Trump. The President and First Lady hosted a State Dinner to honor the British monarchs on April 28.  In his toast, the President thanked his guests of honor. “On the eve of our 250th year of cherished independence, we turn to the sovereign embodiment of our British heritage and say sincerely: thank you to our friends, the United Kingdom, for the richest inheritance that any nation has ever given to another. May our two countries stand together forever.” Secretary Rubio also met with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The Secretary and Foreign Secretary discussed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.  Secretary Rubio Signs MOU for the U.S.-EU Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals Secretary Marco Rubio participates in a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony for the U.S.-EU Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals with European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., April 24, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett) Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič to reaffirm support for rebalancing and revitalizing the U.S.-EU economic relationship to advance economic prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.  The Secretary and Commissioner Šefčovič signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a Strategic Partnership on Critical Minerals, an important step in securing our respective supply chains. Department Announces Special Edition Passport To celebrate the 250th year of America, the State Department is releasing special, limited-edition passports.  The designs, released on April 28, feature President Trump’s image and signature, with the Declaration of Independence in the background, opposite an image of America’s founders.  The Washington Passport Authority will issue the commemorative passports.  U.S.-Venezuela Flights Resume Direct flights resumed between the United States and Venezuela, supporting deeper people-to-people ties and bilateral investment. These flights are a bridge between the two nations, to strengthen economic ties. We are committed to a U.S.-aligned Venezuela that produces real results for Venezuelans and Americans. This wouldn't be possible without President Trump's brave leadership in Operation Absolute Resolve.  News You May Have Missed Tommy Pigott was named as the Department’s official Spokesperson, and will continue to provide updates on President Trump’s America First foreign policy.   Secretary Rubio spoke with Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski following a U.S.-brokered deal that freed three Polish prisoners held in Belarus.  The U.S. welcomed Morocco’s signing of the Artemis Accords, demonstrating its commitment to responsible space exploration.   The U.S. led G7 effort with up to $100 million commitment to restore Chornobyl nuclear safety systems, consistent with our continued leadership on issues of nuclear safety and non-proliferation. We advanced U.S. energy investments and partnerships across Central and Eastern Europe at the Three Seas Initiative Summit.  Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) uncovered a sophisticated, multi-state fraud scheme built on counterfeit U.S. passport cards and stolen identities, resulting in significant federal prison sentences for two central figures. We imposed new sanctions on Iran’s shadow banking networks, cutting off billions in illicit funding to the Iranian regime and denying Iran and its proxies the resources they use to threaten U.S. interests. The United States took decisive action to disrupt Iran’s illicit oil trade, the Iranian regime’s primary revenue streams that fund its terrorism and destabilization of the region. Note to Our Readers  We welcome feedback at EmailTeam@state.gov  Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for weekly updates on important work, activities, and news straight from the State Department. Useful links Travel advisories and updates for U.S. Citizens Did you know that you can invite a State Department official to speak at your school, business, or organization? Learn about what we do through the firsthand experience of one of our representatives.  Read More at State.gov

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