Special Envoy Gor Hosts U.S.-Uzbekistan Business Investment Council
The U.S. Department of State's Office of the Spokesperson announced the inaugural Washington D.C. meeting of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business Investment Council (BIC), co-chaired by Special Envoy Sergio Gor and Uzbekistan's Head of the Presidential Administration Ms. Saida Mirziyoyeva. The BIC will promote bilateral trade and investment and encourage long-term commercial partnerships between U.S. and Uzbek companies.
EU Cigarette Excise Tax Analysis - Ireland Highest at €10.71
The Tax Foundation published its annual analysis of EU cigarette excise taxes as of January 1, 2026. Ireland levies the highest excise duty at €10.71 ($12.58) per 20-cigarette pack, followed by France (€8.09) and the Netherlands (€7.77). Bulgaria has the lowest rate at €2.03. EU minimum rates require €1.80 excise per pack and at least 60% of weighted average retail price, but all Member States exceed these minimums.
U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership Working Group Meeting
The U.S. Department of State announced the first interagency working group meeting of the U.S.-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, held March 26, 2026, in Washington D.C. The working group brings together officials from State, Commerce, Energy, Defense, and Treasury departments to deepen cooperation on AI, export controls, and technology protection measures under the May 2025 partnership agreement. The UAE reaffirmed its $1.4 trillion U.S. investment commitment and discussed the G42 Regulated Technology Environment as a model for managing sensitive technology transfers.