1. The President’s Foreign Policy

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.)

7. 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.