Authorities and Functions
Authorities and Functions of the International Trade Administration (ITA)
The major authorities and functions of the Secretary of Commerce exercised through the International Trade Administration (“ITA”) fall into five general categories: (1) trade promotion, international competitiveness, and commercial representation abroad; (2) trade policy development and negotiation and implementation of trade agreements; (3) administration of trade remedy laws and imposition of trade sanctions; (4) negotiation of other international agreements; and (5) investment promotion and other investment matters. Certain functions within these categories — investment monitoring and statistical analysis, for example — are exercised in part by other Commerce entities, usually in consultation with ITA.
GM Authorities and Functions of Global Markets (GM)
The major authorities and functions of the Secretary of Commerce as exercised through the International Trade Administration’s Global Markets (GM). GM’s statutory mission is to “place primary emphasis on the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small businesses and medium-sized businesses, and on the protection of United States business interests abroad…”