Trade Policy and Programs
Thriving international commerce has long
served U.S. interests by promoting U.S. prosperity and
job-creation and promoting peaceful foreign relations. U.S.
trade policy is based on two primary goals:
- To expand access for American
exporters to overseas markets, and
- To ensure that commercial competitors
and partners abroad observe fair trade practices.
To achieve these goals, the State
Department and others in the U.S. helped establish the
system of international trade rules administered by the
World Trade
Organization (WTO).
The U.S. Government works to
lower barriers to trade through negotiations both
multilaterally in the WTO and bilaterally in negotiations
with individual nations and regional groups. Currently a
major
round of
negotiations is
underway aimed at making trade more free and fair. We also
work hard, including through U.S. Embassies and Consulates
overseas, to ensure that foreign governments live up to
their trade commitments.
Office of the
United States Trade Representative (USTR).
The State Department's Trade Policy and Programs (TPP)
division actively participates in the policymaking process
to ensure that U.S. foreign policy goals are fully
considered in the formulation of our trade policy.
Doing Business Abroad
DOING
BUSINESS ABROAD
Q. How is the Department of State
working on my behalf to level the playing field on which to
compete for foreign investment and trade?
A. The
Office of Commercial and Business Affairs
(CBA) is the primary point of contact for business concerns
within the State Department. CBA services include:
- Problem-solving assistance to U.S.
companies
- Dialogue with the U.S. private sector
to ensure that business concerns are factored into
foreign policy
- Programs and practices to improve the
Department's support for business
Through U.S. embassies, CBA helps ensure that
American farmers, business people, and workers succeed in
the growing global marketplace. Each embassy and/or
consulate has officers who are responsible for assisting
U.S. businesses abroad.
- Commercial Officers advise U.S.
businesses on local trade and tariff laws, government
procurement procedures, and business practices; identify
potential importers, agents, distributors, and joint
venture partners; provide information on local
government tenders; and assist with trade and investment
disputes. Note: Commercial Officers are listed in the
publication
Key Officers of
Foreign Service Posts
- Also contact
Country Desk Officers
at the Department of State and the
U.S. Commercial Service
for country-specific information.
Q. Where is the first stop for companies
seeking information about federal export assistance
programs?
A. For assistance with exporting
U.S. products contact the
Trade Information Center
(TIC), of the Department of Commerce. The Trade Information
Center (TIC) is a comprehensive resource for information on
all U.S. Federal Government export assistance programs.
The
U.S. Trade and Development
Agency can also help U.S.
companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Also check
the publication a
Basic Guide to Exporting.
For personalized service call
1-800-USA-TRAD(E) (1-800-872-8723). Hearing-impaired callers
can use a toll-free telecommunication device:
1-800-TDD-TRADE (1-800-833-8723)
Q. What organizations and government
services are available to help me export?
A. Below is a listing of general
and specialized export service links.
The
Trade Compliance Center (TCC)
of the International Trade Administration and the
U.S. Commercial Service
For more specialized assistance, please
review the following agencies:
-
U.S. Department of
Agriculture(USDA) -
Administers programs that support exports of
agricultural products, including initiatives to combat
unfair competition.
-
Country Directories of
International Contacts (CDIC)
- Provides the names and contact information for
importers, agents, trade associations, and government
agencies on a country-by-country basis. Available on the
NTDB.
-
Customized Market
Analysis ( CMA) - Provides
a research service to firms with specific information on
marketing and conducting foreign business in order to
determine marketability, key competitors, possible
partners, etc.
-
International Trade
Administration (ITA) -
Commerce Department office that specializes in the
facilitation of trade by product or industrial sector.
-
Market Access
Compliance (MAC) - MAC
officers help U.S. businesses to overcome barriers to
trade and investment.
My Export.com
is an exporter referral service that connects exporters
to the global marketplace
-
Small Business
Administration (SBA) -
Provides a full range of export assistance services to
small businesses just entering the international export
market.
-
U.S. Trade Development
Agency (TDA) - Helps U.S.
businesses obtain grants on a transaction-specific basis
for foreign development projects.
-
U.S. Business Advisor
- Links all federal organizations assisting or
regulating information and services the government
provides for business.
-
Ex-Im Bank
- Supports U.S. exports by offering U.S. exporters
loans, guarantees, and insurance products to compete in
the global marketplace
Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC)
-- sells investment services to assist U.S. companies
investing in some 140 emerging economies around the
world.
-
U.S. Export Assistant
Centers (USEACs) -
Provides U.S. companies information on markets abroad,
international contacts, and advocacy services.
-
Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative (USTR) -
Provides information for U.S. exporters confronted with
problems surrounding international trade agreements.
Q. What U.S. agency can provide me with
trade leads?
A.
U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) receives
technology requests and distributes trade leads to
registered U.S. companies. The
Global Technology Network
(GTN) is a program aimed at matching the technological needs
of companies in developing countries with solutions from
small- and medium-size U.S. companies.
Q. My overseas supplier (or customer)
tells me I need to provide them with documentation from the
U.S. Government. What paperwork is required?
A. Fifteen agencies are involved in
the issuance of certificates, export control licenses, and
other documentation for purchasing from and selling to
overseas partners.
- The Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Export Administration (BXA) provides assistance on
export licensing requirements and required documentation
for export transactions
Depending on your product, BXA may refer you
to another agency, which may include:
Q. What forms does the Office of Defense
Trade Controls (DTC) provide? Do I need a form?
A. Contact the
Office of Defense Trade
Controls (DTC) if the item in
question involves a dual-use-product (defense-related
materials or equipment, e.g., computers, munitions, and
certain raw materials). From the DTC web site you can:
If your material or services does not require
DTC review, then the next office to contact is the
Bureau of Export
Administration (BXA) which
provides:
- Export assistance on licensing
requirements
- Required documentation for export
transactions
- Assistance in selecting the
appropriate license
Q. Where can I find a listing of U.S.
companies doing business abroad?
A. Contact the
Chamber of Commerce
which represents more than 3 million businesses and
organizations.
Q. How can the embassy or consulate in
the foreign country assist me in conducting business?
A. Establishing contact with the
embassy or consulate before conducting business will provide
you with current information on economic, trade, business
trends and practices.
If you are currently outside of the United
States and need to contact the U.S. Embassy, click
U.S. Missions Online
If you are in the United States, contact
the
Department of State Country Offices
Q. How do I authenticate documents to
be used overseas?
A. The
State Department's Office of
Authentication provides
certification of all documents used by citizens and foreign
nationals overseas.
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