Overview[]
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is responsible for promoting U.S. exports of manufactured goods, nonagricultural commodities, and services and associated trade policy issues. ITA works closely with U.S. businesses and other government agencies, including the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of the Treasury.
Through its Market Access and Compliance Unit, ITA formulates and implements international economic policies to obtain market access for American firms and workers as well as compliance by foreign nations with U.S. international trade agreements.
ITA also advises on international trade and investment policies pertaining to U.S. industrial sectors, carries out programs to strengthen domestic export competitiveness, and promotes U.S. industry’s increased participation in international markets. Through its Import Administration, it administers legislation that counters unfair foreign trade practices.
ITA has six long-term performance goals to which its business units contribute: (1) advance U.S. international and commercial strategic interests; (2) enhance U.S. competitiveness in domestic and international markets; (3) broaden and deepen the U.S. exporter base; (4) identify and resolve unfair trade practices; (5) foster excellent relationships with customers and stakeholders; and (6) achieve organizational and management excellence.
The ITA also plays an important role promoting policy frameworks to facilitate the free flow of data across borders, as well as the growth of digital commerce and international trade. For example, ITA administers the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework (and a similar framework with Switzerland), which allows U.S. companies to meet the requirements of the 1995 EU Directive on the Protection of Personal Data for transferring data outside of the European Union.