Office of the United States Trade Representative

Open Government

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues. USTR provides trade policy leadership and negotiating expertise promoting the administration's trade policy to open markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, consumers, and businesses.

Open Government Plan

USTR’s Open Government Plan (pdf) focuses on expanding the conversation on trade between all of our stakeholders. The plan, developed in accordance with the Open Government Plan Guidance Memo (pdf), addresses how USTR is improving transparency, participation, and collaboration. USTR used public and employee involvement to contribute to the plan and develop the Open Government Flagship Initiative, which is described in the plan. The Flagship Initiative is Trade Promotion Authority—or TPA—a partnership between Congress and the Administration that ensures the United States secures the most effective trade agreements possible. TPA brings greater transparency to the negotiating process by empowering Congress to conduct vigorous oversight and hold the administration accountable.  USTR’s goal is to integrate robust communications with its many and varied stakeholders to enable more effective trade policies and agreements.

Open Government Page

USTR is committed to President Obama’s Open Government Initiative, helping to create a government that is transparent, participatory, and collaborative with the American people. USTR’s OpenGov page links to important Open Government initiatives and programs:

Annual Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reports

FOIA and Open Government

Electronic Reading Room

FOIA Releases

Trade Advisory Committees 

Press Office

Congressional Affairs

Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement

Tradewinds Blog

and allows for the public to ask USTR questions and contact USTR officials. As USTR works to create trade policy that benefits American workers and families, the OpenGov initiative is a vital tool in maintaining an open dialogue with the American people. Please refer back to this page for future updates and new links on USTR’s Electronic Reading Room.

Share Your Ideas

See Contact Us for scheduling requests, media inquiries, stakeholder inquires and general correspondence

To comment on USTR's open government plan and priorities, email: contactUSTR@ustr.gov.  

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