This is a comprehensive analysis of the myriad US laws for imposing economic sanctions for foreign policy reasons. Against a broad range of target countries, the United States has resorted increasingly to a variety of economic pressures as a major tool in its foreign policy. Examples include South Africa, Panama, Libya, Nicaragua, the Soviet Union, Poland and Iran. The book is written in a lucid style designed for both non-lawyer and lawyer. It begins with a brief history and examination of the effectiveness of economic sanctions, drawing upon the existing literature. It then breaks ground by carefully analysing the wide range of US laws that authorize controls on government programmes (such as foreign aid), US exports, imports, private financial transactions, and assistance by international financial institutions. The study offers discussion of the 1988 omnibus trade bill and includes a useful chapter examining the widely differing laws of major US allies, notably the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and the European Community.