From Trump to Biden: Whither US Sanctions Policy?

With a new administration, John McKendrick QC and Sophie O’Sullivan consider what effect this key shift in US values will have on its sanctions policy.

From his inaugural address in January 2021 calling for “unity not division”, President Biden has already sought to characterise his Administration as one which will embrace multilateralism and global co-operation. Biden’s promise that the USA “will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again” was both a declaration of his own political ideology and a clear rejection of his predecessor’s core mantra and foreign policy (or lack of) model of ‘America First’.

What effect will this key shift in US values have on its sanctions policy?

In this article, John McKendrick QC and Sophie O’Sullivan briefly look back on Trump’s sanctions regimes and then consider what impact the election of President Biden will have on US sanctions policy over the next four years and where lawyers may see a difference.

You can read the article here.

About the authors

John McKendrick QC practises in the areas of public and commercial law both domestically and internationally. John has a strong international element to his practice. He was the Attorney General of the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla and has long standing connections in Latin America and has worked in Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and Panama. He is the author of the Latin American and Caribbean chapter of Lissack and Horlick on Bribery. He also works as a consultant on legal projects for the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the EU and others. He is a sanctions appeals officer to the Caribbean Development Bank.

Sophie O’Sullivan specialises in business crime and professional regulation. Her practice encompasses: business crime; commercial fraud; asset forfeiture; financial regulation and compliance; sanctions; professional discipline; and health and safety. She is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown. Sophie is a contributor to the 3rd edition of Lissack and Horlick on Bribery, the leading work on bribery and corruption offences.

Find out more

If you would like to discuss any of the issues covered in this article please contact John or Sophie directly or via their practice management team; David Smith on (+44 (0)20 7427 4905) or Colin Bunyan on +44 (0)20 7427 4886 who would be happy to have a discussion in the strictest of confidence.

Legal Blogs 11 Mar, 2021