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DetDeterminationTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

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

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In simple terms

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

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 84 FR 59521

    Federal Register PDF

  3. FY 2020 ends; sanctions expire unless renewed

  4. 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

What to expect

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