Trade Enforcement Center (E.O. 13601)

Summary

Establishes a new government center to make sure other countries follow trade rules and to protect American workers and businesses from unfair trade.

What problem does this solve?

The government's efforts to enforce trade rules were spread across many agencies, making it hard to act effectively. This order creates a single center to coordinate these efforts, ensuring trade laws are enforced strongly and consistently.

What does this order do?

Establishes the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center

Creates a new Interagency Trade Enforcement Center within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to coordinate trade enforcement.

Coordinates multiple government agencies

Requires the Center to coordinate trade enforcement among agencies like the Departments of State, Treasury, Justice, Commerce, and Homeland Security.

Defines the Center's mission

Sets the Center's primary mission as coordinating the enforcement of U.S. trade rights, sharing information, and engaging with U.S. workers and businesses.

Creates new leadership roles

Establishes a Director from the USTR to lead the Center and a Deputy Director from the Department of Commerce.

Requires outreach to the public

Tasks the Center with contacting U.S. workers, businesses, and others to help find and stop foreign trade barriers and unfair practices.

Consults on intellectual property rights

Mandates that the Center must work with the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator when dealing with issues related to intellectual property.

Who does this affect?

U.S. businesses and exporters
U.S. workers
U.S. ranchers and farmers

What is the real world impact?

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Creates a level playing field for American businesses

Centralizes trade enforcement to ensure foreign partners follow trade agreements, helping U.S. workers, businesses, ranchers, and farmers compete fairly in the global market.

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Signals a more aggressive trade enforcement stance

By creating a dedicated center for enforcement, the government can more easily identify and challenge unfair trade practices, which could lead to more trade disputes with other countries.

When does this start?

This order takes effect on February 28, 2012.