Establishment of the Economic Diplomacy Action Group and Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019

This memorandum establishes the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG) and delegates presidential authority under the Championing American Business Through Diplomacy Act of 2019 to cabinet secretaries and agency heads, allowing them to appoint senior officials to the EDAG. The Secretary of State is tasked with coordinating these appointments across agencies.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 57053

Key directives

Establish the Economic Diplomacy Action Group (EDAG)
Delegate to specified agency heads the functions and authorities under subsection 708(c)(3) of the Act to appoint senior officials to EDAG
Secretary of State shall encourage and coordinate appointment of EDAG members by agency heads
EDAG members and alternates must be senior officials with significant decision-making authority
Secretary of State authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Establishment of EDAG
Delegation of appointment authority to agency heads

Near term (90d)

Senior official appointments to EDAG by agency heads
Secretary of State coordination of appointments

Long term

Enhanced economic diplomacy coordination
Potential effects on US business competitiveness abroad

Risks & tensions

Vague on concrete deliverables or reporting requirements from EDAG
No specified meeting frequency or outputs
Potential interagency coordination challenges given number of agencies involved
Delegation to 'future public laws' with same/substantially same provisions creates open-ended authority expansion