Presidential Determination and Certification with Respect to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008

President Trump waived a prohibition on U.S. security assistance to Turkey under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act of 2008, certifying that Turkey is taking effective steps to address child soldier use. The determination directs the Secretary of State to submit it to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 40019

Impact dates

Date TBD
Publish determination and certification in Federal Register
Date TBD
Submit determination and certification to Congress

Key directives

Waive application of section 404(a) CSPA prohibition with respect to Turkey
Certify Turkey is taking effective and continuing steps to address child soldiers
Submit determination and certification to Congress
Publish determination and certification in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Waiver of section 404(a) prohibition takes effect upon signing
Security assistance restrictions lifted for Turkey

Near term (90d)

Secretary of State to submit determination to Congress
Federal Register publication

Long term

Continued U.S.-Turkey security cooperation subject to annual CSPA review
Potential future waiver decisions dependent on Turkey's sustained progress on child soldiers

Risks & tensions

CSPA waivers for strategic allies often draw human rights scrutiny; certification of Turkey's progress may be contested by NGOs
Balances human rights conditionality against NATO alliance maintenance and regional security interests
Timing amid broader U.S.-Turkey tensions over Syria, S-400, and regional influence