Executive agreements are a type of legal agreement made between the executive branch of a government and another country, international organization, or within the same country`s states. When compared to treaties, executive agreements are considered to be more flexible and less formal. Executive agreements are mostly used in circumstances where it isn`t necessary to create a treaty. In this article, we will discuss when executive agreements are used.

Executive agreements are used in situations where a treaty is unnecessary or when the negotiation process of a treaty would be time-consuming or difficult. For instance, executive agreements come in handy when two countries want to cooperate on a narrow issue that is not substantial enough to justify a formal treaty. They are also used when the United States and foreign countries wish to work together on matters of national security, foreign policy, and economic ties.

One of the main reasons why executive agreements are preferred over treaties is that they do not require ratification by the Senate. This means that they can be implemented quickly, without the need for the lengthy approval process required by the Senate for treaties. This makes executive agreements a more convenient and faster option for the government when there is a need for international cooperation.

Executive agreements are widely used in various fields, including trade, environment, security, and immigration. For instance, the United States has entered into dozens of executive agreements for sharing passenger information with other countries to prevent terrorism, to allow for the transfer of criminals and serve sentences in their home countries, and to provide for cooperation on cybersecurity issues.

Another example of when executive agreements are used is in the area of trade. When countries want to reduce trade barriers and increase the flow of goods and services between them, they can enter into executive agreements. These agreements, known as executive trade agreements, are often used to address areas that are not covered in the World Trade Organization (WTO) trade agreements.

In conclusion, executive agreements are legal agreements made by the executive branch of governments with other countries, international organizations, or within the same country`s states. They are mostly used in circumstances where a treaty is unnecessary or when the negotiation process of a treaty would be time-consuming or difficult, such as when a narrow issue needs cooperation or when dealing with national security, foreign policy, and economic ties. They are widely used in various fields, including trade, environment, security, and immigration. When compared to treaties, executive agreements are considered to be more flexible and less formal, making them a more convenient and faster option for the government when there is a need for international cooperation.