The US Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative (USTR) have designated IADC executive VP – government affairs Brian Petty as chairman of the Investment Working Group of the Department of Commerce Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs). Mr Petty will continue to serve as chairman of ITAC2 on automotive equipment and capital goods.
Recently, IADC and 85 other groups representing the business and agricultural communities jointly wrote to US President Barack Obama expressing concerns over a proposal to merge the Office of the USTR with five other agencies into a single cabinet-level department.
The USTR plays an invaluable role in coordinating the different entities within the US government with specialized trade functions based on expertise. By balancing the interests of various constituencies and agencies, the USTR provides assurance “that no one has a thumb on the scale,” the letter stated.
As a separate entity within the Office of the President, the USTR is able to act responsively to negotiate, implement and enforce US trade objectives. The USTR is actively involved in growing US exports, eliminating foreign market barriers and improving the overall competitiveness of US farm and manufactured goods and services in the global economy.
Mr Petty can be reached via email.
