Officers of the Foreign Service shall protect the rights and interests of the United States in its international agricultural, commercial, and financial relations. In pursuance of this duty, they shall:

(a) Guard against the infringement of rights of American citizens in matters relating to commerce and navigation which are based on custom, international law, or treaty.

(b) Observe, report on, and, whenever possible, endeavor to remove discriminations against American agricultural, commercial, and industrial interests in other countries.

(c) Protect the national commercial reputation of the United States.

Officers of the Foreign Service shall further the agricultural and commercial interests of the United States:

(a) By carefully studying and reporting on the potentialities of their districts as a market for American products or as a competitor of American products in international trade.

(b) By investigating and submitting World Trade Directory Reports on the general standing and distributing capacity of foreign firms within their districts.

(c) By preparing and submitting upon request trade lists of commercial firms within their districts.

(d) By keeping constantly on the alert for and submitting immediate reports on concrete trade opportunities.

(e) By endeavoring to create, within the scope of the duties to which they are assigned, a demand for American products within their districts.

(f) By facilitating and reporting on proposed visits of alien businessmen to the United States.

(g) By taking appropriate steps to facilitate the promotion of such import trade into the United States as the economic interests of the United States may require.

Officers of the Foreign Service shall perform the following-enumerated services for American citizens and business organizations in connection with the conduct of foreign trade subject to such rules and limitations thereon as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State:

(a) Answering trade inquiries.

(b) Lending direct assistance to American citizens and business firms.

(c) Encouraging the establishment of, and supporting, American chambers of commerce.

(d) Preparing themselves for and, upon instructions, performing trade conference work when in the United States on leave, or otherwise.

Officers of the Foreign Service shall prepare and submit reports in connection with their duties of protecting and promoting American agricultural commercial interests and for the purpose of providing general information on economic developments within their respective districts for the Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce, and for other governmental departments and agencies, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary of State may prescribe.