U.S. Government Agencies Involved in International Trade
International Trade Administration—U.S. Department of Commerce
The ITA strengthens the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promotes trade and investment, and ensures fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. The ITA comprises the following agencies:
Trade Information Center
The TIC is a comprehensive resource for information on all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs, and provides general and country-specific export information, international market research and trade leads, and guidance on tariff and customs procedures.U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce's ITA. The Commercial Service has 108 offices located throughout the country and 150 around the world, covering 96 percent of U.S. export markets. Its Web-based services are provided through the U.S. government's export portal, export.gov. At export.gov you can locate the U.S. Export Assistance Center nearest you or call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723).Trade Compliance Center
The TCC is the U.S. Government's focal point for monitoring foreign compliance with trade agreements to see that U.S. firms and workers get the maximum benefits from these agreements. It is your one-stop shop for getting U.S. government assistance in resolving the trade barriers or unfair situations you encounter in foreign markets.ITA Manufacturing and Services Unit
The MAS unit of the International Trade Administration is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, expanding its market access, and increasing its exports.Import Administration
ITA’s Import Administration is the agency’s lead unit on enforcing trade laws and agreements to prevent unfairly traded imports, often a result of unfair foreign pricing or government subsidies.
U.S. Department of State
The State Department provides international travel tips and warnings, country background information, and may directly advocate on behalf of specific U.S. business interests overseas. In addition it has responsibility for the following:
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
The DDTC is charged with controlling the export and temporary import of defense articles and defense services covered by the United States Munitions List (USML). It adjudicates license applications for exports of defense articles and services and handles matters related to defense trade compliance and enforcement.Overseas Security Advisory Council
The OSAC is a Federal Advisory Committee that promotes security cooperation between American business and private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State.
U.S. Department of the Treasury—Office of Foreign Assets Control
OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security—U.S. Department of Commerce
BIS is charged with the formulation and implementation of U.S. export control policy on dual-use commodities, software, and technology. Dual-use items subject to BIS regulatory jurisdiction have predominantly civilian uses, but also have military and proliferation applications, or may be used in terrorist activities.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection—U.S. Department of Homeland Security
CBP monitors and controls the flow of products and people into and out of the United States.
U.S. International Trade Commission
The USITC determines import injury to U.S. industries in antidumping, countervailing duty, and global and China safeguard investigations; directs actions against unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement; supports policymakers through economic analysis and research on the global competitiveness of U.S. industries; and maintains the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing trade negotiations with other countries.
U.S. Small Business Administration—Office of International Trade
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides export information and development assistance to help small businesses take advantage of export markets, including trade counseling, training, legal assistance and publications.
Export-Import Bank of the United States
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
OPIC supports U.S. investment in emerging markets worldwide, fostering development & the growth of free markets.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The USPTO processes patent and trademark applications and disseminates patent and trademark information.
National Institutes of Standards and Technology Global Standards and Information Program
The Global Standards and Information Group of the NIST provides technical information related to foreign standards and regulatory requirements, and monitors developments in standards and conformity assessment activities around the world. U.S. exporters can sign up for the opportunity to review and comment on proposed foreign technical regulations that can affect their businesses and their access to international markets by subscribing to the Notify
U.S. Service. They will receive, via e-mail, notifications of drafts or changes to domestic and foreign technical regulations for manufactured products. Included in the subscribers e-mail is a link to the Notify U.S. web site where they can read more information and order complete texts of the regulations for review and comment.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
USTDA's mission is to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. To this end, the agency funds various forms of technical assistance, investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
U.S. Agency for International Development
USAID is an independent agency that provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States.