Presidential Determination With Respect to the Efforts of Foreign Governments Regarding Trafficking in Persons

This determination, issued under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, imposes foreign assistance restrictions on 17 governments for FY 2026 due to inadequate anti-trafficking efforts. It withholds nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance from countries including Afghanistan, Chad, Iran, China, Russia, and Venezuela, with partial national-interest waivers for some countries and adds Sint Maarten to the restricted list.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 59713

Impact dates

Sep 30, 2026In 41d
FY 2026 ends (restrictions period unless extended)
Nov 21, 2025
Congressional submission and Federal Register publication
Oct 1, 2025
FY 2026 begins (assistance restrictions period)

Key directives

Withhold nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance to Afghanistan, Chad, Iran, South Sudan, Venezuela for FY 2026
Withhold assistance and educational/cultural exchange funding for officials of Belarus, Burma, PRC, Cuba, DPRK, Eritrea, Macau, Nicaragua, Russia for FY 2026
Instruct US Executive Directors at MDBs and IMF to vote against and deny loans to listed countries for FY 2026
Grant full national-interest waivers for Cambodia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Syria
Grant partial waivers for Belarus, Eritrea, Macau, Russia (educational/cultural exchanges only)
Grant partial waiver for South Sudan (Global Health Programs only)
Grant partial waiver for Venezuela (all assistance except military/security programs)
Impose identical restrictions on Sint Maarten with exception for educational/cultural exchanges
Submit determination, certification, and Memorandum of Justification to Congress
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

FY 2026 assistance restrictions take effect for listed governments
US Executive Directors at MDBs/IMF instructed to vote against loans

Near term (90d)

Congressional submission of determination, certification, and Memorandum of Justification
Federal Register publication

Long term

Continued restrictions until governments comply with minimum standards or make significant efforts
Potential reassessment in subsequent annual determinations

Risks & tensions

PRC and Russia restrictions may escalate diplomatic tensions amid existing strained relations
Venezuela partial waiver excluding military assistance reflects balancing of pressure with engagement
Sint Maarten addition as non-sovereign territory raises questions about scope of 'foreign government'
Waiver determinations under section 110(d)(4) provide executive flexibility that may dilute statutory pressure
MDB/IMF voting instructions may create friction with allied shareholders on multilateral governance