The President’s Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy A nation’s plan for dealing with other nations Basic goals of foreign policy: National security (keep country safe) ***MOST IMPT International trade World peace Promoting democracy Foreign Policy
Congress vs. The President In the US….. there is competition between Congress & the President over who controls foreign policy. Why? Congress vs. The President PRESIDENT CONGRESS Chief diplomat Commander in chief Declare war Prohibit certain military actions Spend/withhold $ for defense
Tools of Foreign Policy The President has 5 tools that he can use to conduct foreign policy…. Treaties & Executive Agreements Treaty: formal agreement btwn countries Ex: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization – mutual defense group) Need Senate approval Executive Agreement: btwn Prez & leader of another country Tools of Foreign Policy
2. Appointing Ambassadors Sent to countries with officially recognized governments Ambassadors must be confirmed by Senate 3. Foreign Aid Money, food, military assistance Ex: Marshall Plan, created after WWII to help rebuild W. Europe
4. International Trade Trade sanctions – trade barriers Embargo: group of nations prohibited from trading with target nation Tariffs: taxes on imported goods (controlled by Congress) Membership in groups (controlled by Congress) Ex: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Org.) WTO (World Trade Org.)
5. Military Force Prez can send troops w/o declaring war (in CERTAIN situations) Must notify Congress within 48 hrs when troops sent to battle…. Must come home after 60 days unless Congress approves a longer stay or officially declares war Result of 1973 War Powers Resolution Officially declared war ONLY 5 times; sent troops 150+ Ex: to fight against terrorism Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, etc. etc. etc.