TPEA Delegation (E.O. 13720)

Summary

Gives certain powers from the President under a 2015 trade law to other government workers, like the U.S. Trade Representative.

What problem does this solve?

The President was given many specific duties under the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015, which can be hard for one person to manage. This order gives those duties to specific officials who are experts, making the government work more efficiently.

What does this order do?

Delegates presidential powers to the U.S. Trade Representative

Gives most of the President's powers from Title I of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 to the United States Trade Representative.

Specifies powers the President will keep

Lists certain powers and duties from the Act that the President will not give to anyone else.

Assigns duties for African development

Gives the head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the job of carrying out certain tasks from the AGOA Acceleration Act, working with the Secretary of Agriculture.

Assigns reporting on poverty and hunger

Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to prepare reports on efforts to reduce poverty and end hunger, with help from other government agencies.

Allows for further delegation of powers

Permits officials who receive powers through this order to give those powers to other officers in the executive branch if allowed by law.

Who does this affect?

U.S. Trade Representative
United States Agency for International Development
Department of Agriculture

What is the real world impact?

•

Improves government efficiency

Assigns specific tasks from the President to other officials who are experts in those areas. This helps the government run more smoothly and handle trade matters more effectively.

When does this start?

This order went into effect when it was signed on February 26, 2016.