Making Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy A nation’s plan for dealing with other nations is called foreign policy The 4 main goals of American foreign policy are: national security international trade world peace promote democracy around the world

Foreign Policy Bureaucracy Agencies in the Executive branch assist the president in foreign affairs Such agencies are: State Department Defense Department Central Intelligence Agency National Security Council They carry out presidential decisions and give president valuable information

Congress v. the President Constitution does not clearly specify how the legislative and executive branch can use their powers Who controls foreign policy has always been a struggle

Methods of Foreign Policy Treaties and Executive Agreements A treaty is an agreement between 2 or more countries North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a mutual defense treaty among Canada, United States, and nations in Europe Senate must approve treaty by 2/3 vote President can bypass Senate by making an executive agreement

2. Appointing Ambassadors An official representative of a country’s government is an ambassador The presidents appoints about 150 ambassadors that must be confirmed by the senate Ambassadors are sent only to countries that are legally recognized by the US government

3. Foreign Aid is money, food, military assistance or other supplies given to help other countries The Marshall Plan was the program created to help restore Western Europe after WWII

4. International Trade Trade sanctions Embargo efforts to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers Embargo a group of nations prohibit trade with one target nation North American Free Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization are 2 major international trade groups

5. Military Force President can use military to carry out foreign policy decisions Numerous times in history, presidents have sent troops to troublesome spots around globe, even though Congress did not declare war