Which presidential power allows the chief executive to negotiate treaties?

The ability of the president to negotiate treaties falls under the category of formal powers. These powers are explicitly outlined in the Constitution, which grants the president the authority to engage in treaty negotiations with foreign nations, subject to the approval of the Senate. This constitutional provision establishes a clear framework for international agreements, indicating that while the president can negotiate and sign treaties, they do not become legally binding until ratified by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

In contrast, executive orders are a mechanism for the president to manage the operations of the federal government and do not pertain specifically to treaty negotiations. Informal powers refer to abilities the president has developed through tradition, practice, and interpretation of authority, but again they do not encompass the formal treaty-making process defined in the Constitution. Legislative powers primarily involve the president's role in working with Congress to create laws, rather than negotiating treaties with foreign governments. Thus, the correct answer highlights the constitutionally defined role of the president in international relations.