Treaties are a serious legal undertaking both in international and domestic law. Internationally, once in force, treaties are binding on the parties and become part of international law. Domestically, treaties to which the United States is a party are equivalent in status to Federal legislation, forming part of what the Constitution calls "the supreme Law of the Land."
However, the word treaty does not have the same meaning in the United States and in international law. Under international law, a "treaty" is any legally binding agreement between nations. In the United States, the word treaty is reserved for an agreement that is made "by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate" (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution). International agreements not submitted to the Senate are known as "executive agreements" in the United States, but they are considered treaties and therefore binding under international law.
For various reasons, Presidents have increasingly concluded executive agreements. Many agreements are previously authorized or specifically approved by legislation, and such "congressional-executive" or statutory agreements have been treated almost interchangeably with treaties in several important court cases. Others, often referred to as "sole executive agreements," are made pursuant to inherent powers claimed by the President under Article II of the Constitution.
Neither the Senate nor the Congress as a whole is involved in concluding sole executive agreements, and their status in domestic law is not fully resolved.
- Databases & E-Resources at the Library of Congress: Treaties and International Agreements
- e-CFR Title 21: Foreign Relations Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Law Library of Congress: Treaties
- Researching U.S. Treaties and Agreements
- Thomas: Treaties Search Page
- Treaties in Force 2009
- U.S. Senate: Treaties
- ACSA (Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement)
- U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth (Jun. 30, 2001)
- Japan Distilled Spirits Agreement (Dec. 15, 1997)
- Japan Ports And Harbor Practices Agreement (NOV. 10, 1997)
- Japan Enhanced Initiative on Deregulation and Competition Policy (Jun. 19, 1997)
- Japan NPA Procurement Of VHF Radio Communications System Agreement (Mar. 31, 1997)
- Japan Grademarked Lumber Agreement (Jan. 13, 1997)
- Japan Resolution Of WTO Dispute On Sound Recordings (January 24, 1997)
- Japan Insurance Supplementary Measures (Dec. 24, 1996)
- Japan Measures Regarding Financial Services (Feb. 13, 1995)
- Japan Public Sector Procurement Of Telecommunications Products And Services Agreement (November 1, 1994)
- Japan Medical Technology Arrangement (Nov. 1, 1994)
- Japan Insurance Measures (Oct. 11, 1994)
- Japan Actions To Be Taken By The Patent Offices (Aug. 16,1994)
- Japan Agreement Clarifying The Framework Agreement (May 23, 1994)
- Japan Mutual Understanding On Patents (Jan. 20, 1994)
- Japan Public Works Agreement (Jan. 19, 1994)
- Japan Framework Agreement (Jul. 10,1993)
- Japan Computer Products And Services Agreement (Jan. 22,1992)
- Japan--Tokyo Declaration On Global Partnership With The US (Jan.9, 1992)
- Japan Major Projects Agreement (Jul. 31, 1991)
- Japan International Value-Added Network Services Agreement (#2 Of 2) (Jun. 25, 1991)
- Japan Network Channel Terminating Equipment Agreement (July 31, 1990)
- Japan International Value-Added Network Services Agreement (Jul. 31, 1990)
- Japan Structural Impediments Initiative Joint Report (Jun. 28, 1990)
- Japan Satellite Procurement Agreement (Jun. 15, 1990)
- Japan Supercomputer Procurement Agreement (Jun. 15, 1990)
- Japan Wood Products Agreement (Jun. 15, 1990)
- Japan Structural Impediments Initiative Interim Report (Apr. 5, 1990)
- Japan Science And Technology Agreement (June 20, 1988)
- Japan Foreign Lawyers Agreement (Feb. 27, 1987)
- Japan Cellular Telephone And Third Party Radio Agreement (Jun 30, 19869)
- Japan Report On Medical Equipment And Pharmaceuticals Market-Oriented, Sector-Selective (MOSS) Discussions (Jan. 9, 1986)
- Agreement between Japan and the United States of America Concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands (June 17, 1971)
- Agreement between Japan and the United States of America Concerning Nanpo Shoto and Other Islands (Apr. 5, 1968)
- Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America (Jan. 19, 1960)
- Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America, Regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan (Jan. 19, 1960)
- Exchange of Notes Concerning Article XII, Paragraph 6(d) of the Agreement Regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan (Jan. 19, 1960)
- Japan Friendship Commerce And Navigation Treaty (Apr. 9, 1953)
- Major documents related to U.S. - Japan relatations are available at the following page: Major Documents on U.S. - Japan Relations
- Australia Free Trade Agreement
- Central American/Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
- Chile Free Trade Agreement
- Israel Free Trade Agreement
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- North American Free Trade Side Agreement On Environmental Cooperation
- North American Free Trade Side Agreement On Labor Cooperation
- Singapore Free Trade Agreement
- WTO: Understanding On Settlement Of Disputes
- Why Certain Trade Agreements Are Approved as Congressional-Executive Agreements Rather Than as Treaties - CRS Reprort
- North American Free Trade Agreement Between The Government of Canada, The Government of the United Mexican States and The Government of the United States of America (NAFTA)
- World Trade Agreement GATT
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
- DOC/ITA/Trade Compliance Center
- Trade Agreements USTR
- Treaties and Agreements DOS, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation
- International Aviation, Bilateral Agreements Federal Aviation Administration
- Biological Weapons Convention
- Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Background and Current Developments - CRS Report
- Environment, Bilateral Agreements USAID
- The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change - DOS Archive page
- Global Climate Change: The Kyoto Protocol - CRS Report, Sep. 8, 2003
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights TRIPS
- An overview of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights TRIPS Agreement
- Berne Copyright Convention, 1928 Amendments and Treaty
- Focus on: Intellectual Property Rights - DOS IIP Pub.
- WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty Entered into force May 20, 1996
- WIPO-Administered Treaties
- Universal Copyright Convention as revised at Paris, Apr. 24, 1971
- American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Laws and Regulations
- Why Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Matters
- Selected Internet Resources--The Environment
- American Geological Institute--Environmental Goesicence Program
- National Council on Science and the Environment
- What is Intellectual Property?
- U.S. International Social Security Agreements Social Security Administration
- Private International Law DOS, Office of the Legal Adviser