<P> The Executive Branch and the U.S. Congress have constitutional responsibilities for U.S. foreign policy . Within the Executive Branch , the Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency , and its head , the Secretary of State , is the President 's principal foreign policy advisor . The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President 's foreign policy . It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visiernational crime , foreign military training programs , the services the Department provides , and more -- are paid for by the foreign affairs budget , which represents little more than 1 % of the total federal budget . As stated by the Department of State , its purpose includes : </P>
what major department official is appointed by the president to deal with foreign countries
the Secretary of State