**Punishing Critics, Rewarding Loyalists: How the US Treasury Targets Foreigners** In a recent move, United States President Donald Trump's administration targeted Spain after the country's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, criticized US attacks on Iran. Trump's response was typical - he asked the US Treasury Secretary to take action against Spain. This is not the first time Trump has used this tactic against countries that disagree with his policies. When Trump made the statement, Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, warned that using the Treasury Department to harm Spain would not only affect the country but also the entire European Union. However, the US Treasury Department has a way to target specific individuals and businesses from countries that don't align with Trump's administration. Since Trump began his second term, his administration has imposed or lifted Treasury Department sanctions on foreigners in ways that depart from the original intentions of these programs. Former officials from the State Department say that the Treasury Department's actions have diverged from historical precedent. Traditionally, the US Treasury Department uses sanctions to restrict individuals and entities that pose a threat to national security and global peace. The US currently has 37 official sanction programs in place, which allow the government to target specific countries, such as North Korea and Russia, or individuals who engage in malicious activities like terrorism, human trafficking, or human rights abuse. In recent times, Trump's administration has used these programs to target individuals and countries that have spoken out against its policies. This has led to concerns that the US Treasury Department is being used as a tool to punish critics and reward loyalists. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is essential to understand the implications of such actions on international relations and global stability. In Naija, we have seen instances where the Nigerian government has imposed sanctions on individuals and countries that have been critical of its policies. While the US Treasury Department's actions may seem far-fetched, they highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the need for countries to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve conflicts.