Which U.S. department is responsible for determining trade and economic sanctions against countries?

The U.S. Department of Treasury is responsible for determining trade and economic sanctions against countries. This responsibility primarily falls under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which operates within the Department of Treasury. The OFAC enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, as well as specific individuals and entities involved in activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Department of Treasury plays a crucial role in implementing U.S. foreign policy through economic measures, focusing on managing sanctions to achieve foreign policy goals while also ensuring compliance with international laws. This involves analyzing the impact of sanctions, monitoring compliance, and coordinating with other government entities to enforce those sanctions effectively.

While the Department of State does engage in foreign policy and diplomatic relations, including recommending sanctions, the authority to enforce and oversee trade and economic sanctions specifically resides with the Department of Treasury. The Department of Commerce, on the other hand, plays more of a role in promoting international trade rather than imposing sanctions. The Department of Justice is involved in enforcing U.S. laws but does not primarily handle trade and economic sanctions.