Powers in Foreign Affairs

Under the Constitution, the presi­dent is the federal official primarily responsible for the relations of the United States with foreign nations. The president appoints ambassadors, ministers, and consuls—subject to confirmation by the Senate—and receives foreign ambassadors and other public officials. With the secretary of state, the president manages all official contacts with foreign governments. On occasion, the pres­ident may personally participate in summit conferences where chiefs of state meet for direct consultation. Thus, President Woodrow Wilson headed the American delegation to the Paris conference at the end of World War I, President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with Allied leaders during World War II, and every pres­ident since then has sat down with world leaders to discuss economic and political issues and to reach bilateral and multilateral agreements. Through the Department of State, the president is responsible for the protection of Americans abroad and of foreign nationals in the United States. The president decides whether to recognize new nations and new governments, and negotiate treaties with other nations, which become binding on the United States when approved by two-thirds of the Senate. The president may also negotiate "executive agree­ments" with foreign powers that are not subject to Senate confirmation.