foreign relations

noun

1. (used with a plural verb),  the dealings and relationships between nations.

2. (used with a singular verb),  the field of foreign affairs.

   an expert in foreign relations.

3. (used with a singular verb),  the quality or character of foreign affairs as a consequence of foreign policy.

   a deterioration in their foreign relations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign relations¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

“It’s not at all surprising for a U.S. president to talk to both the Chinese and Japanese leaders,” said Matthew Goodman, a former Obama administration Asia specialist who focuses on geoeconomic studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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“The Russians have remained very consistent,” said Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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Russia likely sees a broad win at hand but would also want to firm up some of the more ambiguous points in the document, said Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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“There is essentially no information on how that money is being used,” said Brad Setser, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an assistant Treasury secretary during the Obama administration.

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“The same thing has happened with cars as with 5G,” said Valentin Weber, a senior research fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

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Related Words

• diplomacy