Where US policy meets global capital.

• Treasury published a Request for Information (Federal Register Doc. 2026-02481) to design a Known Investor Program — a pre-filing fast-track for repeat investors with clean compliance histories.
• The FY 2026 NDAA enacted the COINS Act, restricting outbound investment to China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela across semiconductors, AI, quantum, and hypersonic sectors. Treasury has 450 days to implement.

• Over 90% of CFIUS filings approved in five years. China-linked investors face heightened scrutiny across technology, infrastructure, and real estate near sensitive sites.
• Allied investors under the February 2025 Presidential Memorandum fast-track directive benefit from reduced friction — an advantage for Korean and Japanese capital.

Foreign operators face a bifurcated track: allied investors gain streamlined review; adversary-linked capital faces expanded prohibitions. The Known Investor Program will reward repeat filers with disclosed compliance records. Begin building that record now.

• Following a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling, the administration invoked Section 122, imposing a 10% global import surcharge. Effective tariff rate: 11% — the highest since 1943 (Penn Wharton, March 2026).
• New Section 301 investigations initiated in March 2026. Some China-origin goods face layered duties of 25%–145%.

• LA-to-China containerized exports fell 26%; soybean shipments down 80%. Container traffic is rerouting toward nearshoring corridors.
• Most shippers report logistics cost increases of 10–15% directly tied to duties and compliance expenses (Logistics Management, 2026).

The US import cost structure has reset at an 80-year high. Route optimization and country-of-origin planning are core cost levers. Nearshoring to USMCA and allied suppliers reduces tariff exposure but requires new warehousing corridors.

• DHS submitted a final rule eliminating "Duration of Status" for F-1, J-1, and I visa holders, imposing a 4-year maximum admission period. Implementation projected for September 2026.
• The F-1 grace period shortened from 60 to 30 days. OPT SEVIS updates required within 10 days of any change; automatic cancellation for non-compliance.

• New international enrollments fell 17% in Fall 2025 (NAFSA); total foreign enrollment down 20% in Spring 2026. Modest continued decline projected through 2030.
• Canada, the UK, and Australia are absorbing redirected international student flows. Canada introduced a streamlined study permit pathway in Q1 2026.

D/S elimination resets the premise of US study. For pathway programs, school networks, and student housing operators, the window before sustained enrollment decline is contracting. Compliance infrastructure becomes a product differentiator.