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April 4 – April 10

World Expo 2025 opens April 13 in Osaka, Japan, featuring the USA Pavilion's immersive exhibits on American innovation and space exploration.

Here's what happened at State this week. ⤵️

• 🤝 President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
• 🌍 Secretary Rubio wrapped up his NATO visit, emphasizing President Trump's call for Allies to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP.
• 🏈 NFL representatives joined Secretary Rubio to celebrate American excellence through football.

Reaffirming Commitments, Advancing Diplomacy

On April 7, President Trump met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, demonstrating that the U.S. is a great ally to Israel. 

The two leaders discussed the urgent need for Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza and emphasized their shared commitment to peace. 

President Trump also reaffirmed that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon and noted that the U.S. is actively pursuing a diplomatic solution. On April 9, the U.S. announced new sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear program.

Brussels Brief: NATO Visit Recap

Secretary Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker depart a press briefing at the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, April 4, 2025. (State Dept./Freddie Everett)

Secretary Rubio wrapped up his visit to NATO headquarters with a clear message: The stronger and more capable our NATO partners are, the stronger our Alliance. 

In remarks to the press and to young journalists from The Youth News Foundation, the Secretary spoke about how increased defense spending by members will help the Alliance tackle today's threats and prepare for tomorrow.

Kicking Off Sports Diplomacy: NFL at State

Secretary Marco Rubio hosts an NFL "DC Day" Reception at the Department of State in Washington, DC, April 8, 2025.

On April 8, Secretary Rubio welcomed representatives from the National Football League (NFL) to the State Department.

Through sports diplomacy, we're expanding American sports culture to new markets and connecting more young people to the game globally.

Are You REAL ID Ready?

On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers will need to present a REAL ID–compliant license/ID for air travel within the United States. A U.S. passport meets this requirement. 

Find other REAL ID options or learn how to apply for or renew your passport.

News You May Have Missed

• Secretary Rubio joined Donald Trump Jr. on his podcast Triggered, where he addressed cracking down on violent cartels and promoting an America First foreign policy.
• We honored the 2025 International Women of Courage Award winners for their strength and leadership.
• Ambassador Dorothy Shea emphasized the importance of harnessing trustworthy AI for international peace and security during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
• G7 Foreign Ministers expressed concern over China's large-scale military drills around Taiwan and encouraged the peaceful resolution of issues through constructive cross-Strait dialogue.
• The U.S. imposed visa and travel restrictions on South Sudan due to their Transitional Government's failure to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.
• We welcomed home American Ksenia Karelina, who was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year.

Looking Ahead

• April 13: World Expo 2025 begins in Osaka, Japan
• April 23-30: Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust

Note to Our Readers

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