The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 02, 2017
Statement by President Donald J. Trump on Signing the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act”
Today, I signed into law the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act,” which enacts new sanctions on
Iran, North Korea, and Russia. I favor tough measures to punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran
and Pyongyang. I also support making clear that America will not tolerate interference in our democratic process, and
that we will side with our allies and friends against Russian subversion and destabilization.
That is why, since taking office, I have enacted tough new sanctions on Iran and North Korea, and shored up existing
sanctions on Russia.
Since this bill was first introduced, I have expressed my concerns to Congress about the many ways it improperly
encroaches on Executive power, disadvantages American companies, and hurts the interests of our European allies.
My Administration has attempted to work with Congress to make this bill better. We have made progress and improved the
language to give the Treasury Department greater flexibility in granting routine licenses to American businesses,
people, and companies. The improved language also reflects feedback from our European allies – who have been steadfast
partners on Russia sanctions – regarding the energy sanctions provided for in the legislation. The new language also
ensures our agencies can delay sanctions on the intelligence and defense sectors, because those sanctions could
negatively affect American companies and those of our allies.
Still, the bill remains seriously flawed – particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch’s authority to
negotiate. Congress could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking. By limiting the Executive’s
flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will
drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together. The Framers of our Constitution put foreign affairs in the
hands of the President. This bill will prove the wisdom of that choice.
Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity. It represents the will of the American
people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States. We hope there will be cooperation between
our two countries on major global issues so that these sanctions will no longer be necessary.
Further, the bill sends a clear message to Iran and North Korea that the American people will not tolerate their
dangerous and destabilizing behavior. America will continue to work closely with our friends and allies to check those
countries’ malignant activities.
I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As
President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.