INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION

The mission of the International Trade Administration (ITA) is to implement the rules of international trade, to promote and assist U.S. exporters, to conduct the Commerce Department's role in U.S. Government trade policy, and to provide industry analysis and information about U.S. and foreign economies. In accomplishing this mission, ITA operates a broad range of programs and services designed to assist American business consumers.

Activities and Services

• Information Services: lTA offers the business consumer a variety of information services, including industry data, export business counseling, trade statistics, and specific business and political information about foreign countries. Lists of firms in specific businesses or foreign countries are available, as well as customized foreign mailing lists, including mailing labels. News of new export sales possibilities are provided to American business via the Trade Opportunities Program. Market research information is available, as are background reports on individual foreign firms.

• Trade Information Center (TIC): The TIC is ITA's one-stop source for information on all Federal export assistance programs. International trade specialists can be reached weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST on the center's toll-free number (1-800-USA- TRADE). Professionals advise exporters on how to locate and use government programs and guide them through the export process.

• Action Programs: ITA has action programs to promote U.S. exports through international trade fairs and exhibitions, both in the U.S. and overseas; through specialized trade missions, seminar missions, and Industry Organized Government Approved trade missions; through catalog and video catalog exhibitions; and through business sponsored promotions.

• Publications

  Publications that may be of interest to consumers include:

  • Business America, a biweekly magazine designed especially for American exporters who want to grow and for American businesses ready to enter the lucrative world of exporting. It contains country-by-country marketing reports, incisive economic analyses, worldwide trade leads, advance notice of planned exhibitions of U.S. products and services worldwide, and success stories of selected American business firms in the field of exporting.

  • CBI Business Bulletin, a monthly report of trade opportunities in Caribbean countries, published in cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development.

  • Commerce Business Daily, a daily list of government procurement invitations, contract awards, subcontracting leads, sales or surplus property, and foreign business opportunities as well as certain foreign government procurement.

  • Competitive Assessments, which report on selected industries, define and analyze the international market, assess future U.S. competitiveness, and identify and discuss the policy issues and options affecting various industries.

  • Construction Review, a bimonthly publication, carries most of the U.S. Government's statistics about the construction industry.

  • Europe NOW, a quarterly publication on developments on the single internal market that the European Community is establishing.

  • Foreign Economic Trends, current business and economic developments and the latest economic indicators for more than 100 countries.

  • Overseas Business Reports, which include current and detailed marketing information, trade outlooks, statistics, regulations, and marketing profiles.

  • U.S. Foreign Trade Highlights, an annual publication presenting data on U.S. merchandise trade with major trading partners and regions.

  • U.S. Industrial Outlook, an annual publication which analyzes more than 350 industries.

  • United States Trade, an annual examination of the major causes and implications of trade performance. Included are analyses of several topics particularly relevant to U.S. trade performance.

    Contacts

    1.  Office of Public Affairs
         International Trade Administration
         U.S. Department of Commerce
         Room H3414
         Washington, DC 20230
         (202) 482-3808
    2.   Office of Publications
         International Trade Administration
         U.S. Department of Commerce
         Room H3420
         Washington, DC 20230
         (202) 482-5487