Monday, 28 September 2026

Trump announced a $15 billion steel mill project in Iowa operated by Indian-owned company Mesabi Metallics, the largest such facility planned in US history. The facility is not expected to produce steel until 2030 at the earliest, but Trump emphasized it during a period of tight midterm races.

The US and China announced reciprocal tariff cuts on $60 billion of goods following a Trump-Xi summit in Washington. The agreement includes cuts on US agricultural products and Chinese household goods, representing a de-escalation in the trade war.

Trump rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Brent crude oil prices surged above $107 per barrel in response. The rejection signals continued impasse in US-Iran negotiations despite mediation efforts by Qatari and Pakistani officials.

According to State Department envoy David Perdue, Trump offered to sell weapons to China during the Trump-Xi summit. Trump later denied making the offer, but analysts raised concerns about arming an adversary and the strategic incoherence of the proposal.

The Trump administration announced it would rescind Biden's 2024 Title IX rule and restore Trump-era regulations regarding girls' sports and gender identity. Education Secretary Linda McMahon formally announced the rescission.

The Trump administration released new fuel economy standards that relax regulatory requirements for automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and light trucks, reversing Biden-era efficiency standards intended to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from conditioning FEMA emergency grants on election changes, preventing the administration from withholding anti-terrorism funding unless states implemented citizenship verification for voters and other voting restrictions.

Andrew Bailey, FBI co-deputy director who oversaw election integrity investigations, resigned from his position after barely a year in the role. His departure represents another loss of senior leadership under FBI Director Kash Patel.

Trump personally orchestrated taxpayer-funded video advertisements promoting himself and his administration's policies, including selecting imagery and videos. Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the ads as inappropriately using taxpayer money for campaign-style messaging.

Five British men were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of terrorism charges related to a suspected bomb plot at the UK military base used by the US. The arrests come as police investigate possible links to Iranian involvement, with the men released on bail but remaining under investigation.