Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, and the primary source of jobs for Americans.

Small businesses also account for the largest group of U.S. exporters and are a major user of imported goods.

The U.S. Trade Representative is dedicated to assisting U.S. small businesses by removing barriers in the international trading system. To do this, USTR has undertaken initiatives in the following areas:

Tariffs

High tariffs serve as added taxes on U.S. exports and imports, driving up the cost of small businesses' products and narrowing their potential markets.

The United States is seeking across-the-board tariff reductions in the multilateral World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda negotiations and the elimination of tariffs on all industrial and consumer goods through bilateral trade agreements that will benefit all U.S. businesses, large and small.

Potential markets

Customs Facilitation

For small businesses, paperwork and inconsistency in customs policies and regulations can be as prohibitive barriers to trade.

USTR is working in the WTO to strengthen the trade rules governing customs procedures to ensure the free flow of goods and services. USTR is continuing efforts to advance ongoing complementary initiatives involving existing agreements, such as the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation.

USTR is also working with key WTO members to ensure that technical assistance in this area is provided to increase trade and investment for all members.

Customs Valuation

Standards

Unjustified or unreasonable licensing requirements, inspections or bans can be costly and time-consuming for small businesses and can keep U.S. small business from competing in foreign markets.

USTR is working to identify such barriers to trade, including differences in standards and licensing and inspection regimes, that hinder small business exporters' access to our trading partners' markets.

USTR is pursuing the elimination of such non-tariff barriers to trade in the WTO, multilateral fora, and bilateral agreements.

Intellectual Property Rights

USTR is working with our trading partners to ensure that intellectual property rights (IPRs), such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, are protected and enforced in foreign markets. USTR negotiators are keenly aware that the cost of acquiring IPRs is only worthwhile if they provide adequate protection for its holder's intellectual property.

Learn more about U.S. government resources for protecting and enforcing IPRs in foreign markets by visiting www.stopfakes.gov.

intellectual property

E-Commerce and Services

For U.S. small businesses, e-commerce and the Internet can reduce transaction costs significantly, while increasing the pool of potential customers.

The United States is actively engaged in developing trade agreements that support the growth of e-commerce and the enforceability of electronic transactions.

Growth of e-commerce

Industry Trade Advisory Committees

Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) are integral links between industry and the United States government. Jointly administered by the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative (USTR), ITACs provide a public-private forum to ensure that industry has a voice in formulating the trade policy of the United States.

ITAC 11, the Small and Minority Business ITAC, was chartered to incorporate priorities of small and minority businesses in formulating U.S. trade policy and to address issues of concern to small and minority businesses in trade negotiations.

Industry advisors serving on this abd other ITACs provide valuable input as the Administration seeks to improve economic opportunities for America's businesses, workers, and consumers through trade.

U.S. policy-makers rely on these trade advisors to help identify trade barriers and to provide advice on key objectives and bargaining positions for multilateral, bilateral, and regional trade negotiations, as well as other trade-related policy matters.

Learn more by visiting these websites:

ITAC 11 Website
ITAC 11 Members List

President's Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations

The President's Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN) consists of not more than 45 members who are broadly representative of the key economic sectors affected by trade.

The ACTPN is the highest-tier committee in the system that examines U.S. trade policy and agreements from the broad context of the overall national interest.

Members of ACTPN are appointed by the President to represent a variety of interests including small businesses, non-federal governments, labor, industry, agriculture, service industries, retailers, and consumer interests.  See a  current roster of members, and the interests they represent.

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Related links:

Small Business Administration
Small Business Trade Policy Agenda
SBA Small Business Guide to Exporting
Business.gov
Regulations.gov