ExecutiveOrdersEO
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Presidential Determination

Presidential Determination With Respect to the Efforts of Foreign Governments Regarding Trafficking in Persons

This determination imposes sanctions under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act by withholding nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related U.S. assistance from 11 countries for FY 2020 and restricting educational/cultural exchanges with 4 additional countries, while also directing U.S. representatives at multilateral development banks to vote against loans to 13 countries. It includes partial waivers for Ebola response, anti-trafficking programs, and specific assistance to Burma, DRC, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Belarus, Bhutan, Comoros, PNG, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 59521

Impact dates

  1. FY 2020 ends; sanctions expire unless renewed

  2. Determination effective for FY 2020

Key directives

  • Withhold nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance to 11 governments for FY 2020
  • Deny educational/cultural exchange program funding for officials/employees of 4 governments for FY 2020
  • Instruct U.S. Executive Directors at multilateral development banks and IMF to vote against and deny loans to 13 governments for FY 2020
  • Grant partial waivers for Ebola virus disease response assistance
  • Grant partial waivers for anti-trafficking compliance assistance
  • Grant partial waivers for specific assistance to Burma, DRC, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Belarus, Bhutan, Comoros, PNG, Turkmenistan, Venezuela
  • Submit determination, certification, and Memorandum of Justification to Congress
  • Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Sanctions take effect for FY 2020
  • U.S. representatives instructed to vote against loans at multilateral institutions

Near term (90d)

  • Congressional submission of determination, certification, and Memorandum of Justification

Long term

  • Sanctions remain until countries comply with minimum anti-trafficking standards or make significant efforts

Risks & tensions

  • Potential diplomatic friction with major powers (China, Russia) and strategic partners (Saudi Arabia)
  • Partial waivers for Saudi Arabia (FMS) and others may dilute anti-trafficking pressure
  • Burma waiver despite trafficking concerns reflects competing foreign policy priorities
  • Ebola waiver provision indicates humanitarian exceptions built into sanctions architecture
Presidential Determination: Presidential Determination With Respect to the Efforts of Foreign Governments Regarding Trafficking in Persons · Executive Orders