Foreign Policy Ch 7.3

Making Foreign Policy Foreign policy is a nations’ overall plan for dealing with other nations. There are many goals our country tries to achieve: National Security International Trade Promotion of World Peace Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy

Foreign Policy Bureaucracy The Executive Branch includes a large foreign policy bureaucracy. It includes: - State Department - Department of Defense - Central Intelligence Agency - National Security Council (NSC)

Congress v. the President The president and Congress share the power to conduct foreign affairs. The president is the chief diplomat and commander-in-chief, but Congress has the power to declare war, prohibit certain military actions, and spend or withhold money for defense.

Congress v. the President The Constitution does not make clear how the executive and legislative branches can use their powers. Because of this, the branches compete for control of foreign policy.

Tools of Foreign Policy 1. Treaties and Executive Agreements Treaties are formal agreements between the governments of two or more countries. Some treaties, such as NATO (April 1949), are agreements among nations for mutual defense; NAFTA was made as an economic free trade agreement. The Senate must approve a treaty by a 2/3 vote. President can however make an executive agreement with the leader of another country without Senate approval. Deal with routine matters

Tools of Foreign Policy 2. Appointing Ambassadors An ambassador is an official representative of a country’s government. The president appoints ambassadors, with Senate approval. Ambassadors are only sent to countries where the U.S. accepts the government as legally in power. Bhutan, Iran, North Korea, Syria

Tools of Foreign Policy 3. Foreign Aid The U.S. gives foreign aid in the form of money, food, military assistance, or other supplies to help other countries. Ex. The Marshall Plan 1947-1951 which helped rebuild Western Europe after World War II. $13 Billion total.

Tools of Foreign Policy 4. International Trade The president makes agreements with other nations about what products may be traded and the rules of trade. Sometimes the rules include trade sanctions – efforts to punish another country by imposing trade barriers. Another punishing tool is an embargo, an agreement among a group of nations that prohibits them all from trading with the target nation.

Tools of Foreign Policy Congress takes the lead in imposing tariffs on imported goods and in joining international trade groups One such trade group is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Tools of Foreign Policy 5. Military Force As commander-in chief, presidents may use the military to carry out some foreign policy decisions that could involve deploying armed forces or launching missile attacks. Powerful tool, but must be used with care. Ex. Iraq and Afghanistan; Vietnam

Address the following in at least one paragraph – Which do you think is the most effective foreign policy tool – foreign aid, trade sanctions or military force? Why?