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January 23 – January 29

 Here’s what happened at State this week. 

•  Secretary Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on U.S. policy towards Venezuela.
•  The Board of Peace welcomed new members.
•  The U.S. withdrew from the one-sided Paris Climate Agreement.

Secretary Rubio Testifies on U.S. Policy Towards Venezuela

Secretary Rubio testifies to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2026. (Photo credit: U.S. Senate)

On January 28, Secretary Rubio briefed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on U.S. policy towards Venezuela.

The Secretary told the Committee that “the Western Hemisphere is our home, and we will not tolerate criminality within this Hemisphere that harms American citizens or permit territory to become platforms for our adversaries.”

With the removal of Nicolás Maduro, “President Trump’s actions have created the conditions for Venezuelans to begin returning home and rebuilding their country. The United States is prepared to help oversee Venezuela’s transition from a criminal state to a responsible partner,” said Secretary Rubio.

President Trump Welcomes Founding Members of Board of Peace

President Trump addresses world leaders attending the inauguration of the Board of Peace. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Last week in Davos, President Trump ratified the Charter of the Board of Peace.

This week, he welcomed founding members from around the world. The founding members represent countries around the world who have committed to building a secure and prosperous future for Gaza that delivers lasting peace, stability, and opportunity for its people.

As President Trump said, “The first steps toward a brighter day for the Middle East, and a much safer future for the world are unfolding right before your very eyes.”

The United States Exits From the Paris Climate Agreement

The President announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement upon taking office. This action took effect on January 27.

Secretary Rubio welcomed the exit with a statement. The President “withdrew from the one-sided Paris Climate Agreement which raises prices, hinders economic growth, and weakens our national security,” he said.

“The U.S. will no longer be a part of international agreements and initiatives that undermine our national interests.”

News You May Have Missed

• The State Department cut spending by $1.8 billion in the first year of President Trump’s second term.
• President Trump and Mexican President Sheinbaum discussed border security, trade, and drug trafficking.
• The White House and the State Department observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and reaffirming our commitment to countering antisemitism.
• The White House announced that the last body belonging to a hostage captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, had been returned.
• The State Department announced a partnership with the National Football League to support the Department’s sports diplomacy initiatives and to collaborate on major sporting events, including international NFL games and the Super Bowl.

Upcoming Dates

• February 4: Critical Minerals Ministerial
• February 6: Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
• February 13-15: Munich Security Conference

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January 30 – February 5

Here’s what happened at State this week. 

•  The United States hosted the Critical Minerals Ministerial to secure global supply chains.
•  President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sealed a historic trade partnership.
•  Vice President JD Vance and Secretary Rubio arrived in Milan to lead the U.S. delegation to the Winter Olympics.

Securing Critical Mineral Supply Chains

Secretary Rubio holds a press availability during the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., February 4, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

On February 4, the State Department brought together global partners in Washington, D.C., for a Critical Minerals Ministerial. At the ministerial, like-minded governments worked to build stable and strong supply chains in order to reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths.

“Economic security is national security,” Secretary Rubio said in his opening remarks. Everyone “stand[s] to benefit from the secure supply chains that we want to be a big part of building.”

The ministerial focused on reducing dependence on adversarial nations for minerals required for defense technologies and for American manufacturing.

Speaking at the ministerial, Vice President Vance invited allies to form a critical minerals trading bloc.

Supply chains that support critical industries can vanish in the blink of an eye, Vice President Vance said in his remarks. “It is the business of the government … to confront such problems, and we want to confront them together.”

President Trump and Prime Minister Modi Reach Historic Deal

President Trump and Prime Minister Modi meet in the Oval Office February 13, 2025. (White House/Molly Riley)

Following a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Trump announced a major trade deal between the United States and India. This historic agreement aims to bolster the relationship between the world’s largest democracies while addressing key global security concerns.

“It was an honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi,” President Trump said in a Truth Social post. “He is one of my greatest friends, and a Powerful and Respected leader of his Country.”

As part of the deal, India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil, committing instead to increase purchases from the United States and possibly Venezuela. President Trump noted that this shift would help end the war in Ukraine.

Key provisions of the agreement the President highlighted in his Truth Social post include both the U.S. and India reducing tariffs on each other’s goods and a $500 billion commitment from Prime Minister Modi to buy U.S. energy, technology, agriculture, and other products.

Securing Water Resources

The United States and Mexico have agreed to strengthen the implementation of the 1944 Water Treaty. Committing to the treaty, which governs the shared use of the water in the Rio Grande, will provide greater certainty for farmers, ranchers, and producers in the United States.

“Water is the lifeblood of the farmers and ranchers who power South Texas’s agricultural economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “This understanding between our countries is a direct result of President Trump’s determination to secure fair, practical deals that deliver for American agriculture.”

Under the new agreement, Mexico has committed to deliver a minimum of 350,000 acre-feet of water (approximately 114 billion gallons) each year to the United States during the current five-year cycle.

U.S. Delegation Arrives at the Winter Olympics

Secretary Rubio and Vice President Vance greet Team USA athletes at the Team USA Welcome Experience ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan on February 5, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Mateo S. Melendy)

Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio led the official United States Presidential Delegation to the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

The delegation’s presence bolsters the U.S.-Italy alliance and supports American athletes on the global stage.

For citizens traveling to the games, we encourage travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time updates and to keep important information close at hand.

News You May Have Missed

• The White House announced Project Vault, a $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals.
• The United States announced $200 million for the Sudan Humanitarian Fund to help address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people in Sudan.
• Secretary Rubio announced sanctions on Iranian government officials for their brutal suppression of peaceful protests.
• The United States and Hungary are partnering in efforts to expand religious freedom in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
• President Trump reauthorized the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which provides eligible sub-Saharan African countries with duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products.

Upcoming Dates

• February 6: Milan Cortina Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
• February 13-15: Munich Security Conference
• February 18: G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting