§ 2171. Structure, functions, powers, and personnel

After an investigation lasting over a year, I have found that this reorganization is necessary to carry out the policy set forth in section 901(a) of title 5 of the United States Code. As described above, this reorganization will increase significantly our ability to implement the MTN agreements efficiently and effectively and will improve greatly the services of the government with regard to export development. These improvements will be achieved with no increase in personnel or expenditures, except for an annual expense of about $300,000 for the salaries and clerical support of the three additional senior Commerce Department officials and a non-recurring expense of approximately $600,000 in connection with the transfers of functions provided in the plan. I find that the reorganization made by this plan makes necessary the provisions for the appointment and pay of a Deputy Secretary, an Under Secretary for International Trade, and two additional Assistant Secretaries of the Department of Commerce, and additional members of the Boards of Directors of the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation [now the United States International Development Finance Corporation].

It is indeed appropriate that this proposal follows so soon after the overwhelming approval by the Congress of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 [19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.], for it will sharpen and unify trade policy direction, improve the efficiency of trade law enforcement, and enable us to negotiate abroad from a position of strength. The extensive discussions between Administration officials and the Congress on this plan have been a model of the kind of cooperation that can exist between the two branches. I look forward to our further cooperation in successfully implementing both this reorganization proposal and the MTN agreements.

The White House, September 25, 1979.

Executive Order No. 11143

Ex. Ord. No. 11143, Mar. 2, 1963, 29 F.R. 3127, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 11159, June 23, 1964, 29 F.R. 8137, formerly set out under section 1871 of this title, which established the Public Advisory Committee for Trade Expansion, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 11425, Aug. 30, 1968, 33 F.R. 12363, set out below.

Executive Order No. 11425

Ex. Ord. No. 11425, Aug. 30, 1968, 33 F.R. 12363, formerly set out under section 1871 of this title, which directed the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations (established by Ex. Ord. No. 11075, Jan. 15, 1963, 28 F.R. 473) to conduct a long range study of United States foreign trade policy and to consider the views of Congress, the Public Advisory Committee on Trade Policy, and other federal agencies; established the Public Advisory Committee on Trade Policy for purposes of this study; and abolished the Public Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations; was omitted in view of the revocation of Ex. Ord. No. 11075 by Ex. Ord. No. 11846, Mar. 27, 1975, 40 F.R. 14291, set out under section 2111 of this title, and in view of the abolition of the Office of Special Representative for Trade Negotiations (as established under Ex. Ord. No. 11075) by section 2171(g) of this title.

Ex. Ord. No. 12175. Effective Date of Section 2(b)(1) of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 Respecting Reorganization of Functions Relating to International Trade

Ex. Ord. No. 12175, Dec. 7, 1979, 44 F.R. 70703, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by Section 9 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 (transmitted to the Congress on September 25, 1979) [set out as a note above], the time period prescribed by Section 906 of Title 5 of the United States Code having elapsed without the adoption of a resolution of disapproval by either House of Congress, it is hereby ordered that Section 2(b)(1) of that Plan, establishing the Office of Deputy Secretary of Commerce, is effective immediately.

Ex. Ord. No. 12188. Functions Relating to International Trade

Ex. Ord. No. 12188, Jan. 2, 1980, 45 F.R. 989, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12292, Feb. 23, 1981, 46 F.R. 13968; Ex. Ord. No. 13118, § 10(6), Mar. 31, 1999, 64 F.R. 16598; Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 50, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10628, provided:

By the authority vested in me by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 [see 19 U.S.C. 2501], the Trade Act of 1974 [this chapter], the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 [see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title], section 350 of the Tariff Act of 1930 [19 U.S.C. 1351], Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 [set out as a note above], and section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code, and as President of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1–101. The United States Trade Representative.

(a) Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by law, the United States Trade Representative (hereinafter referred to as the “Trade Representative”) shall be chief representative of the United States for:

(1) all activities of, or under the auspices of, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade;

(2) discussions, meetings, and negotiations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development when trade or commodity issues are the primary issues under consideration;

(3) negotiations in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and other multilateral institutions when trade or commodity issues are the primary issues under consideration;

(4) other bilateral or multilateral negotiations when trade, including East-West trade, or commodities is the primary issue under consideration;

(5) negotiations under sections 704 and 734 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671c and 1673c); and

(6) negotiations concerning direct investment incentives and disincentives and bilateral investment issues concerning barriers to investment.

For purposes of this subsection, the term “negotiations” includes discussions and meetings with foreign governments and instrumentalities primarily concerning preparations for formal negotiations and policies regarding implementation of agreements resulting from such negotiations.

(b) The Trade Representative, in consultation with the Trade Negotiating Committee, shall invite such members of the Trade Negotiating Committee and representatives of other departments or agencies as may be appropriate to participate in the negotiations and other activities listed in subsection (a).

(c) The Trade Representative, in consultation with the Trade Negotiating Committee, may delegate to any member of the Trade Negotiating Committee, or to any other appropriate department or agency, primary responsibility for representing the United States in any of the negotiations and other activities set forth in subsection (a).

(d) The Trade Representative, or any department or agency to which responsibility for representing the United States in a negotiation or other activity has been delegated pursuant to subsection (c), shall consult with the Trade Policy Committee and with any affected regulatory agencies on the policy issues arising in connection with the negotiations and other activities listed in subsection (a).

Sec. 1–102. The Trade Policy Committee.

(a) As provided by section 242 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1872), the Trade Policy Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”) is continued. The Committee shall have the functions specified by law or by the President, including those specified in section 1(b)(3) of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 [set out as a note above].

(b) The Committee shall be composed of the following:

(1) The Trade Representative, who shall be Chair

(2) The Secretary of Commerce, who shall be Vice Chair

(3) The Secretary of State

(4) The Secretary of the Treasury

(5) The Secretary of Defense

(6) The Attorney General

(7) The Secretary of the Interior

(8) The Secretary of Agriculture

(9) The Secretary of Labor

(10) The Secretary of Transportation

(11) The Secretary of Energy

(12) The Secretary of Homeland Security

(13) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget

(14) The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers

(15) The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

(16) The Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.

The Chair and any member of the Committee may designate a subordinate officer whose status is not below that of an Assistant Secretary to serve in his stead when he is unable to attend any meetings of the Committee. The Chair may invite representatives from other agencies to attend the meetings of the Committee.

(c)(1) There is established, as a subcommittee of the Committee, a Trade Negotiating Committee which shall advise the Trade Representative on the management of negotiations referred to in section 1–101(a) of this order. The members of such subcommittee shall be the Trade Representative (Chair), the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Labor.

(2) The Trade Representative, with the advice of the Committee, may create additional subcommittees thereof.

(d) In advising the President on international trade and related matters, the Trade Representative shall take into account and reflect the views of the members of the Committee and of other interested agencies.

Sec. 1–103. Delegation of Functions.

(a) The function vested in the President by section 412(b) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2542(b)) is delegated to the Secretary of Commerce with regard to the technical office established under section 412(a)(1) of such Act [19 U.S.C. 2542(a)(1)] and to the Secretary of Agriculture with regard to the technical office established under section 412(a)(2) of such Act [19 U.S.C. 2542(a)(2)]. In prescribing the functions of each technical office, the Secretary concerned shall consult with the Trade Representative and with all affected regulatory agencies. The functions delegated by this section shall be exercised in coordination with the Trade Representative.

(b) The functions of the President under sections 2(b) and 303 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2503(b) and 2513) and section 701(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671(b)) are delegated to the Trade Representative, who shall exercise such authority with the advice of the Trade Policy Committee.

Sec. 1–104. Authority Under the Foreign Service Act and Related Laws.

(a) The Secretary of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized to establish a Foreign Commercial Service in the Department of Commerce, and a category of career officers of the Foreign Commercial Service to be known as Foreign Commercial Officers. For purposes of the utilization by the Secretary of the authorities granted to the Secretary under this section, the terms “Foreign Service” and “Foreign Service Officer” shall be construed to mean “Foreign Commercial Service” and “Foreign Commercial Officer,” respectively.

(b) [Revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12292, Feb. 23, 1981, 46 F.R. 13968.]

(c) The Board of the Foreign Service and the Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service established by Executive Order 11264 of December 31, 1965, as amended [22 U.S.C. 826 note], shall exercise with respect to Foreign Service personnel of the Department of Commerce the functions delegated to them by that order with respect to Foreign Service personnel of the Department of State. The Boards shall perform such additional functions with respect to Foreign Service personnel of the Department of Commerce as the Secretary may from time to time delegate or otherwise assign, consistent with the functions of such boards.

Sec. 1–105. Prior Executive Orders and Determination.

(a) Section 1(b) of Executive Order 11269 of February 14, 1966, as amended [22 U.S.C. 286b note], is amended by adding “the United States Trade Representative,” after “the Secretary of State,”.

(b)(1) Section 1 of Executive Order 11539 of June 30, 1970 [7 U.S.C. 1854 note], is amended to read as follows:

“Section 1. The United States Trade Representative, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of State, is authorized to negotiate bilateral agreements with representatives of governments of foreign countries limiting the export from the respective countries and the importation into the United States of—

“(1) fresh, chilled, or frozen cattle meat,

“(2) fresh, chilled, or frozen meat of goats and sheep (except lambs), and

“(3) prepared and preserved beef and veal (except sausage) if articles are prepared, whether fresh, chilled, or frozen, but not otherwise preserved, that are the products of such countries.”.

(2) Section 4 of such order is amended by striking out “the Secretary of State” and inserting in lieu thereof “the United States Trade Representative”.

(c) The last sentence of section 1(a) of Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1854 note] is amended to read as follows: “The United States Trade Representative, or his designee, also shall be a member of the Committee.”.

(d) The first sentence of section 3 of Executive Order 11703 of February 7, 1973 [19 U.S.C. 1862 note], is amended to read as follows: “The Oil Policy Committee shall henceforth consist of the United States Trade Representative, chair, and the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, the Interior, Commerce and Energy, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, as members.”.

(e) Sections 2(b) and 3(a), the first sentence of section 3(c), and sections 3(e), 3(f), and 6 of Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, as amended [19 U.S.C. 2111 note], are revoked.

(f)(1) Section 1(a)(5) of Executive Order 11858 of May 7, 1975 [50 U.S.C. 4565 note], is amended to read: “(5) The United States Trade Representative”.

(2) Section 1(a)(6) of such order is amended to read: “(6) The Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers”.

(g) Executive Order 12096 of November 2, 1978, is revoked.

(h) The last paragraph of the Presidential Determination Regarding the Acceptance and Application of Certain International Trade Agreements (dated December 14, 1979) (44 FR 74781, at 74784; December 18, 1979) [19 U.S.C. 2503 note], delegating functions under section 2(b) of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 [19 U.S.C. 2503(b)] and section 701(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 [19 U.S.C. 1671b], is revoked.

(i) Any reference to the Office of the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations or to the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations in any Executive order, Proclamation, or other document shall be deemed to refer to the Office of the United States Trade Representative or to the United States Trade Representative, respectively.

Sec. 1–106. Incidental Transfers and Reassignments.

So much of the personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with functions transferred or reassigned by the provisions of this order as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall determine shall be transferred or reassigned for use in connection with such functions.

Sec. 1–107. Effective Dates.

(a) Sections 1, 2(a), 2(b)(2), 2(c), 2(d), 3, 4, 5(a), 5(b)(2), 5(c) through (e), and 6 through 8 of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 [set out as a note above] and the provisions of this order, shall take effect as of January 2, 1980.

(b) Section 5(b)(1) of such plan [set out as a note above] shall take effect as of April 1, 1980.

Ex. Ord. No. 13601. Establishment of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center

Ex. Ord. No. 13601, Feb. 28, 2012, 77 F.R. 12981, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to advance U.S. foreign policy and protect the national and economic security of the United States through strengthened and coordinated enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and enforcement of domestic trade laws, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Robust monitoring and enforcement of U.S. rights under international trade agreements, and enforcement of domestic trade laws, are crucial to expanding exports and ensuring U.S. workers, businesses, ranchers, and farmers are able to compete on a level playing field with foreign trade partners. To strengthen our capacity to monitor and enforce U.S. trade rights and domestic trade laws, and thereby enhance market access for U.S. exporters, executive departments and agencies (agencies) must coordinate and augment their efforts to identify and reduce or eliminate foreign trade barriers and unfair foreign trade practices to ensure that U.S. workers, businesses, ranchers, and farmers receive the maximum benefit from our international trade agreements and under domestic trade laws.

Sec. 2. Establishment. (a) There is established within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (Center).

(b) The Center shall coordinate matters relating to enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and enforcement of domestic trade laws among USTR and the following agencies:

(i) the Department of State;

(ii) the Department of the Treasury;

(iii) the Department of Justice;

(iv) the Department of Agriculture;

(v) the Department of Commerce;

(vi) the Department of Homeland Security;

(vii) the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; and

(viii) other agencies as the President, or the United States Trade Representative, may designate.

In matters relating to the enforcement of U.S. trade rights involving intellectual property rights, the Center shall consult with the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator.

(c) The Center shall have a Director, who shall be a full-time senior-level official of USTR, designated by and reporting to the United States Trade Representative. The Center shall have a Deputy Director, who shall be a full-time senior-level official of the Department of Commerce, designated by the Secretary of Commerce, detailed to the Center and reporting to the Director. The Center shall also have an Intelligence Community Liaison, who shall be a full-time senior-level official of the Federal Government recommended by the Director of National Intelligence and designated by his or her agency, as applicable, to be detailed or assigned to the Center.

(d) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations, and in consultation with the Director of the Center, agencies enumerated in subsection (b) of this section, and others in the Intelligence Community recommended by the Director of National Intelligence, are encouraged to detail or assign their employees to the Center without reimbursement to support the mission and functions of the Center as described in section 3 of this order.

Sec. 3. Mission and Functions. The Center shall:

(a) serve as the primary forum within the Federal Government for USTR and other agencies to coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international trade agreements and enforcement of domestic trade laws;

(b) coordinate among USTR, other agencies with trade related responsibilities, and the U.S. Intelligence Community the exchange of information related to potential violations of international trade agreements by our foreign trade partners; and

(c) conduct outreach to U.S. workers, businesses, and other interested persons to foster greater participation in the identification and reduction or elimination of foreign trade barriers and unfair foreign trade practices.

Sec. 4. Administration. (a) Funding and administrative support for the Center shall be provided by USTR to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) The United States Trade Representative, through the Director of the Center, shall direct the work of the Center in performing all of its functions under this order.

Sec. 5. Definitions. For the purposes of this order:

(a) the term “U.S. trade rights” means any right, benefit or advantage to which the United States is entitled under an international trade agreement and that could be effectuated through the use of a dispute settlement proceeding.

(b) the term “domestic trade laws” means any trade remedies available under U.S. law, including, but not limited to, sections 201, 301, 406, and 421 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2251, 2411, 2436, and 2451); sections 332 and 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1332 and 1337); section 281 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3571); and self-initiation of investigations under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671 [et seq.]).

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law, regulation, Executive Order, or Presidential Directive to an executive department, agency, or head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Reforming Developing-Country Status in the World Trade Organization

Memorandum of President of the United States, July 26, 2019, 84 F.R. 37555, provided:

Memorandum for the United States Trade Representative

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby directed as follows:

Section 1. Policy. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was created to spur economic growth and raise standards of living by establishing international trade rules premised on principles of transparency, openness, and predictability. Although economic tides have risen worldwide since the WTO’s inception in 1995, the WTO continues to rest on an outdated dichotomy between developed and developing countries that has allowed some WTO Members to gain unfair advantages in the international trade arena. Nearly two-thirds of WTO Members have been able to avail themselves of special treatment and to take on weaker commitments under the WTO framework by designating themselves as developing countries. While some developing-country designations are proper, many are patently unsupportable in light of current economic circumstances. For example, 7 out of the 10 wealthiest economies in the world as measured by Gross Domestic Product per capita on a purchasing-power parity basis—Brunei, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Macao, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates—currently claim developing-country status. Mexico, South Korea, and Turkey—members of both the G20 and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)—also claim this status.

When the wealthiest economies claim developing-country status, they harm not only other developed economies but also economies that truly require special and differential treatment. Such disregard for adherence to WTO rules, including the likely disregard of any future rules, cannot continue to go unchecked.

China most dramatically illustrates the point. Since joining the WTO in 2001, China has continued to insist that it is a developing country and thus has the right to avail itself of flexibilities under any new WTO rules. The United States has never accepted China’s claim to developing-country status, and virtually every current economic indicator belies China’s claim. After years of explosive growth, China has the second largest Gross Domestic Product in the world, behind only the United States. China accounts for nearly 13 percent of total global exports of goods, while its global share of such exports jumped five-fold between 1995 and 2017. It has been the largest global exporter of goods each year since 2009. Further, China’s preeminent status in exports is not limited to goods from low-wage manufacturing sectors. China currently ranks first in the world for exports of high-technology products, with such exports alone increasing by 3,800 percent between 1995 and 2016.

Other economic figures tell a similar story. Valued at nearly $1.5 trillion, China’s outbound foreign direct investment (FDI) exceeds that of 32 of 36 OECD countries, while its inbound FDI of nearly $2.9 trillion exceeds all but one OECD country. China is home to 120 of the world’s 500 largest companies, and its defense expenditures and total number of satellites in space are second only to those of the United States.

Notwithstanding these facts and other evidence of economic vibrancy, China and too many other countries have continued to style themselves as developing countries, allowing them to enjoy the benefits that come with that status and seek weaker commitments than those made by other WTO Members. These countries claim entitlement to longer timeframes for the imposition of safeguards, generous transition periods, softer tariff cuts, procedural advantages for WTO disputes, and the ability to avail themselves of certain export subsidies—all at the expense of other WTO Members. These countries have also consistently sought weaker commitments than other WTO Members in ongoing negotiations, which has significantly stymied progress. Moreover, many of the world’s most advanced economies have used developing-country status as an excuse not to comply with the most basic notification requirements under WTO rules, depriving United States traders of vital trade data. The status quo cannot continue.

The WTO is in desperate need of reform, without which the WTO will be unable to address the needs of workers and businesses or the challenges posed by the modern global economy. The United States is also pressing for critical reforms in other multilateral international organizations to help ensure that those organizations recognize the economic development of their members and can work within their mandates to address important challenges. The need to reform international economic institutions is not just a challenge for the United States but for all countries that participate in the global marketplace.

With respect to the WTO, there is no hope of progress in resolving this challenge until the world’s most advanced economies are prepared to take on the full commitments associated with WTO membership. To help ensure that those countries live up to their commitments, it shall be the policy of the United States to make trade more free, fair, and reciprocal by devoting all necessary resources toward changing the WTO approach to developing-country status such that advanced economies can no longer avail themselves of unwarranted benefits despite abundant evidence of economic strength.

Sec. 2. Changing the WTO Approach to Flexibilities Associated with Developing-Country Status. (a) To advance the policy set forth in section 1 of this memorandum, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, use all available means to secure changes at the WTO that would prevent self-declared developing countries from availing themselves of flexibilities in WTO rules and negotiations that are not justified by appropriate economic and other indicators. Where appropriate and consistent with law, the USTR shall pursue this action in cooperation with other like-minded WTO Members.

(b) Within 60 days of the date of this memorandum [July 26, 2019], the USTR shall update the President on his progress under subsection (a) of this section.

Sec. 3. Ending Unfair Trade Benefits. (a) If, within 90 days of the date of this memorandum, the USTR determines that substantial progress has not been made toward achieving the changes described in section 2 of this memorandum, the USTR shall, as appropriate and to the extent consistent with law:

(i) no longer treat as a developing country for the purposes of the WTO any WTO Member that in the USTR’s judgment is improperly declaring itself a developing country and inappropriately seeking the benefit of flexibilities in WTO rules and negotiations; and

(ii) where relevant, not support any such country’s membership in the OECD.

(b) Before taking any action under subsection (a) of this section, the USTR shall:

(i) consult with the Trade Policy Committee established under section 242 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1872);

(ii) consult with the National Security Council and the National Economic Council as to the advisability of interagency coordination through the process described in National Security Presidential Memorandum–4 of April 4, 2017 (Organization of the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Subcommittees) [50 U.S.C. 3021 note], or any successor document; and

(iii) consider the WTO Member’s involvement in global trade, membership in key economic decision-making groups, placement within relative economic and other indicators, and any other factors the USTR deems appropriate.

(c) The USTR shall publish on its website a list of all self-declared developing countries that the USTR believes are inappropriately seeking the benefit of developing-country flexibilities in WTO rules and negotiations.

Sec. 4. Publication. The USTR is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.