Biden expands Western Balkans sanctions authority for evasion, corruption, and destabilizing conduct

President Joe Biden signed a January 8, 2025 executive order expanding U.S. sanctions authority tied to the Western Balkans national emergency. The order amended Executive Order 14033 to add or clarify bases for designation, including attempts to undermine democratic processes, violations or obstruction of peace and accountability frameworks, serious human-rights abuse, corruption, leadership or membership in sanctioned entities, ownership or control of sanctioned persons, and sanctions evasion. It relied on IEEPA, the National Emergencies Act, immigration authority, and existing Western Balkans emergency orders. The action mattered because it gave Treasury and State broader tools to freeze property and block access to the United States for people undermining peace, democratic governance, and accountability in the region.