Despite Losing Congress, 5 Tools Remain in Trump's Hands to Continue Foreign Policies

US President Donald Trump faces a new phase in his term after Democrats seized control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections held on November 3. However, the Republicans' loss of Congress does not necessarily restrict the president's ability to act on foreign policy and national security issues, given the broad powers enjoyed by the White House in these areas.

Bloomberg reported that US presidents tend to focus more heavily on foreign policy in the final years of their terms, especially when the opposition party controls Congress. The president enjoys extensive authority in matters of war and diplomacy, while the legislative branch's ability to limit his actions remains narrower.

The agency noted that former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush utilized the last two years of their terms, when Congress was under the control of the opposing party, to push forward foreign policies that became among the most prominent moves of their administrations.

According to Bloomberg, Democrats can use legislation and control over government spending to restrict some of Trump's moves. However, the president retains the right to veto laws and issue executive orders, in addition to having broad powers in foreign policy.

Trade and Tariffs
Trade and tariffs represent one of the most prominent areas where Trump still enjoys wide latitude for action. Even after courts limited his use of emergency powers to impose broad tariffs, the president can impose duties on specific products and countries under other trade laws, without needing new approval from Congress.

Bloomberg explained that the Trump administration began searching for alternatives based on more specific laws, including Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, after the Supreme Court ruled in February that the global tariffs imposed by the president were illegal.

The administration also paved the way for additional tariffs through investigations into what it describes as excess manufacturing capacity among more than 12 major US trading partners, alongside using a law dating back over a century to impose 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods.

In response, Democrats intend to push for a vote in Congress to cancel some tariffs, which are widely blamed for contributing to rising inflation. This could increase pressure on Trump to conclude trade agreements that lead to tariff reductions.

Military Action
The use of military force is another area where Trump retains wide maneuvering room. According to Bloomberg, he has demonstrated readiness to use his extensive national security powers, including issuing orders to deploy US forces.

The agency pointed out that Trump repeatedly threatened military intervention in Cuba to force regime change, while keeping the door open for resuming large-scale attacks on Iran.

Although Congress can pressure the administration through the defense budget, US presidents have historically maintained broad powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Bloomberg added that Democrats might seek, upon taking control of Congress, to increase US support for Ukraine. However, Trump can veto any new aid package, given that Democrats do not hold the two-thirds majority required to override a presidential veto.

Export Controls and Sanctions
The White House also enjoys broad powers to impose export restrictions and economic sanctions, after Congress delegated significant authority to the executive branch under laws such as the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

These laws allow the administration to regulate the export of dual-use goods, restrict transactions deemed threats to national security, and freeze assets or block transactions in response to external threats.

Bloomberg suggested that Democratic control of the legislature could lead to increased oversight of export control enforcement or challenges to the existence of emergencies justifying certain sanction programs. However, under existing authorities, Trump would not need congressional approval for every new addition to entity lists, licensing restrictions, or decisions to impose sanctions.

Entry Restrictions and Immigration
The US president also possesses broad powers to impose restrictions on the entry of foreigners into the United States under immigration and nationality laws, powers that the Trump administration has already used extensively.

According to the agency, Trump imposed restrictions on citizens of 19 countries in June 2025, while the administration announced restrictions in September on foreigners accused of undermining democratically elected governments through corruption or drug trafficking.

Democrats are expected to focus, after gaining control of Congress, on investigating the practices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security, which may increase scrutiny of Trump's immigration enforcement policies.

Arms Sales
The fifth avenue involves arms sales, where the White House holds significant influence over US weapons deals despite Congress's official oversight role.

Bloomberg stated that Trump used emergency powers this year to bypass congressional review of billions of dollars in arms deals with Middle Eastern partners.

A Democrat-controlled Congress can scrutinize specific deals, pass legislation aimed at halting arms transfers, or attempt to narrow the scope of emergency exemptions.

Democrats might also pressure the administration to accelerate a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, which has become a point of contention in US-China relations. However, Trump has so far delayed its approval, describing the deal as a "very good bargaining chip" in talks with Beijing.

Nevertheless, Bloomberg concluded that Congress's ability to force the administration to initiate a specific arms deal remains limited, giving Trump space to continue moving on this file even as the balance of power within Congress shifts.