1. U.S. Code
  2. title 22
  3. chapter 106
  4. § 9901

Collapse to view only § 9901. Findings

§ 9901. Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the 2017 National Security Strategy of the United States of America, “Retaining our position as the world’s preeminent economic actor strengthens our ability to use the tools of economic diplomacy for the good of Americans and others.”.
(2) A November 7, 2018, cable from Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo to all diplomatic and consular posts—“Boosting Commercial Diplomacy Around the World”—stated that “helping American companies is a foreign policy priority. . .Promoting broad-based, responsible, and sustainable economic growth helps to stabilize regions and creates new and growing markets for U.S. companies. A transparent and level playing field for U.S. investment in these countries counters real and growing challenges such as China’s Belt and Road initiative.”.
(3) In the January–February 2019 issue of The Foreign Service Journal, Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, the President of the American Foreign Service Association, wrote, “Foreign Service support for American business. . .is a major reason why the U.S. Foreign Service was created.”.
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 702, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3069.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9901

§ 9902. Report from each mission on matters of commercial relations
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after December 20, 2019, and annually thereafter, the chief of mission at each bilateral diplomatic mission of the United States and the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan shall submit to the Secretary of State mission plans that include the following:
(1) Data and other information regarding actions taken by each such mission or Institute during the previous year to foster commercial relations and safeguard United States economic and business interests in the country or region in which each such chief of mission and the Director serves.
(2) Each such mission’s and Institute’s anticipated economic and commercial priorities for the coming year.
(b) Report to Congress
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 706, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3071.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9902

§ 9903. Consolidated report on unified investment climate statement and country commercial guide
(a) In general
(b) Matters to be includedEach report required under subsection (a) shall include the following with respect to each country or region covered by each such report:
(1) Information about doing business in each country or region.
(2) Background information about each country’s or region’s political environment.
(3) Information about selling United States products and services in each country or region.
(4) Leading sectors for United States exports and investment in each country or region.
(5) Information about trade regulations, customs, and standards in each country or region, such as—
(A) information on import tariffs; and
(B) documentation about which United States businesses should be aware when exporting, including any prohibited items or temporary entry procedures.
(6) Investment climate statements describing each country’s or region’s openness to foreign investments, such as information relating to each country’s or region’s—
(A) investment policies;
(B) market barriers;
(C) business risks;
(D) legal and regulatory system, including dispute resolution;
(E) level of public and private sector corruption;
(F) level of political violence and instability;
(G) adherence to internationally recognized core labor standards; and
(H) protection of property rights.
(7) Information about trade and project financing in each country or region, such as each country’s or region’s—
(A) banking and financial system, and how United States businesses typically get paid;
(B) foreign exchange controls; and
(C) important sources of funding for project financing.
(8) Relevant business travel information and business customs in each country or region.
(9) Information about services and personnel of the diplomatic mission of the United States available to United States businesses to support their activities in each country or region.
(10) Any significant trade or commercial agreement that exists between the United States and each country or region.
(11) A point of contact at the diplomatic or consular mission of the United States in each country or region for United States businesses.
(c) Rule of construction
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 707, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3071.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9903

§ 9904. Whole-of-government coordination and consultation to support United States economic and business interests
(a) In general
(b) Responsibilities
The Secretary shall—
(1) chair the interagency coordinating committee established under subsection (c);
(2) develop and implement the joint strategic plan required under subsection (c)(4) for all United States trade-related and trade capacity building and related technical assistance programs, in consultation with the coordinating committee established under subsection (c);
(3) advise the Federal departments and agencies designated by the President to participate in the interagency coordinating committee under this section in identifying the most needed and effective ways for United States diplomatic and consular posts and the departments and agencies that staff such posts to support the expansion of United States trade relations with host governments;
(4) consult with the private sector in the development of government-wide trade expansion efforts, including establishing a point of contact and lead office within the Department of State to receive private-sector recommendations and comments concerning trade capacity assistance, coordination, consultations, and country-specific issues;
(5) consult with the Office of Management and Budget regarding the administrative and human resources needs that may be required to implement the provisions of this chapter; and
(6) brief Congress on trade capacity building programs and make recommendations, as appropriate, to Congress for improvements in trade capacity building efforts.
(c) Economic Diplomacy Action Group
(1) Establishment
(2) Leadership
(3) Membership
(4) Development of joint strategic plan
(d) Diplomacy trade expansion advisory committee
(1) Establishment of TEAC
(2) Meetings
(3) Strategic planning advice
The trade expansion advisory committee shall advise the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Group on ways that embassies can better support the United States private sector abroad, including assisting the Chair and Vice-Chairs—
(A) in soliciting private-sector advice;
(B) with respect to implementation of strategic planning; and
(C) in advancing the overall mission and goals of United States national security.
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 708, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3072.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9904

§ 9905. Private sector consultation and coordination
(a) Consultation with private sector by embassy
(b) Inclusion of private-sector comments in mission plans
(c) Designated embassy point of contact for private sector consultation
(d) Requirement to protect business confidential information
(1) In general
(2) Treatment as trade secrets
(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 709, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3074.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9905

§ 9906. Improving awareness of United States Government tools and services to support United States businesses overseas

The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce shall take actions to improve the awareness of United States businesses with respect to United States Government tools and services to assist such businesses overseas, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, including by coordinating with State trade agencies, Export Assistance Centers, and Small Businesses Development Centers.

(Pub. L. 116–94, div. J, title VII, § 710, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3075.)

CITE AS: 22 USC 9906