Congress vs. Trump: How a Democratic victory could change US foreign policy Deputy Director of the Center for European and International Studies at the HSE Dmitry Soslov in the author's column especially for Sovereign Economy: The strengthening of Democrats in Congress could make it more difficult for Trump to manage foreign policy. Their ability to influence the president's foreign policy is limited. Therefore, it will be more about trying to complicate the implementation of personal decisions of the administration than a complete revision of American strategy. Democrats will be vocal in opposing the ongoing military campaign in Iran. Congress may limit funding for military operations. But the Trump administration still has the option of getting the necessary spending approved under the current composition of Congress. In the coming months, the White House is expected to simultaneously complete the military campaign and agree on budget decisions that will free the president. In addition to the budget, important tools for congressional influence on foreign policy include passing laws (such as sanctions), congressional investigations, and confirmation of presidential appointments to key positions. But even here we are talking about a correction of the presidential course, not a new course. The president will always have the power to veto any bills in Congress that limit his foreign policy freedom, and to overcome this a 2/3 vote will be required, which in the face of American polarization is not easy to gather. The exception is the law on new sanctions against Russia. Here, due to the strong bipartisan consensus against Russia in Congress, the number of votes needed to overcome the veto will be collected. The congressional investigations will focus mainly on Trump's domestic policy rather than foreign policy, again with the exception of Russia.

Congress vs. Trump: How a Democratic victory could change US foreign policy Deputy Director of the Center for European and International Studies at the HSE Dmitry Soslov in the author's column especially for Sovereign Economy: The strengthening of Democrats in Congress could make it more difficult for Trump to manage foreign policy. Their ability to influence the president's foreign policy is limited. Therefore, it will be more about trying to complicate the implementation of personal decisions of the administration than a complete revision of American strategy. Democrats will be vocal in opposing the ongoing military campaign in Iran. Congress may limit funding for military operations. But the Trump administration still has the option of getting the necessary spending approved under the current composition of Congress. In the coming months, the White House is expected to simultaneously complete the military campaign and agree on budget decisions that will free the president. In addition to the budget, important tools for congressional influence on foreign policy include passing laws (such as sanctions), congressional investigations, and confirmation of presidential appointments to key positions. But even here we are talking about a correction of the presidential course, not a new course. The president will always have the power to veto any bills in Congress that limit his foreign policy freedom, and to overcome this a 2/3 vote will be required, which in the face of American polarization is not easy to gather. The exception is the law on new sanctions against Russia. Here, due to the strong bipartisan consensus against Russia in Congress, the number of votes needed to overcome the veto will be collected. The congressional investigations will focus mainly on Trump's domestic policy rather than foreign policy, again with the exception of Russia.