Chinese military sources said on September 18 the frigate HMNZS Te Mana and replenishment ship HMNZS Aotearoa transited the Taiwan Strait; the PLA tracked and monitored them throughout and said the situation was under control.

The 20th Asian Games opened on the evening of the 19th in Nagoya, Japan.

President Trump said the US will not impede AI industry growth and will both support and oversee the sector. He called AI the "next industrial revolution" and said it could account for up to 25% of US GDP; he claimed the US currently leads in AI and wants to preserve that edge. Trump announced plans to create an Artificial Intelligence working group, likened to the Space Force, and to appoint an AI czar to oversee AI policy. He said the administration will avoid restrictive measures that could curb innovation but will rely on existing criminal and civil justice systems to address illegal AI activity and will strengthen oversight.