The Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions division (TFS) is responsible for developing and implementing sanctions to counter threats to national security posed by particular activities, terrorist groups and countries. TFS advises the Secretary on economic sanctions strategies to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives and works with other agencies to enact such strategies. TFS builds international support for the implementation of economic sanctions, provides foreign policy guidance to the Department of Treasury and Department of Commerce on sanctions implementation, and engages with Congress on legislation that advances U.S. foreign policy goals in these areas. TFS maintains and enforces sanctions to maximize their economic impact on their targets and minimize the damage to U.S. economic interests. We also work to remove economic sanctions when appropriate to reward and incentivize improved behavior or demonstrate U.S. support for newly established democratic governments. In addition, TFS conducts outreach on sanctions to a wide range of interested parties including foreign governments, the private sector, and NGOs. Further, TFS oversees the Department’s international engagement on anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing (AML/CFT) issues, including through the Financial Action Task Force.
Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions is composed of two offices: