Deal or not, many U.S. states will keep sanctions grip on Iran.....

tres borrachos said:

That's actually very interesting. And those states are all across the political spectrum.

Is there a precedence for states doing this sort of thing?

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Not that I know of, at least in the arena of foreign policy. There are the states that have decided to legalize pot, and a couple that took it upon themselves to enforce the law against illegal immigration. Interestingly, the feds haven't said anything about the first, the came down hard on the latter.

Dittohead not! said:

Not that I know of, at least in the arena of foreign policy. There are the states that have decided to legalize pot, and a couple that took it upon themselves to enforce the law against illegal immigration. Interestingly, the feds haven't said anything about the first, the came down hard on the latter.

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Pot should be legal in every state, but I don't want to derail the thread.

I can't remember a state bucking the federal government over sanctions on another country. Has it ever happened?

tres borrachos said:

Pot should be legal in every state, but I don't want to derail the thread.

I can't remember a state bucking the federal government over sanctions on another country. Has it ever happened?

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Not that I know of. The attempt of some states to stop illegal immigration is about as close as they've come.

It should be noted that under the U.S. Constitution, states cannot enact foreign policy on their own. Hence, they would be bound to lift the sanctions if the U.S. Government lifts sanctions, unless the Congress and President adopt legislation approving a state's policy. So, for example, if a company engages in business with Iran following a lifting of sanctions, the state or states in which that firm operates would not be able to infringe upon that business with tariff or non-tariff barriers or other restrictions. A state or local government could, however, choose to restrict its own investments from benefiting a foreign country's economic sector e.g., adopt legislation to direct its pension fund not to invest in Iranian companies or those doing business with Iran.