ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13169Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 13169

Assistance to Small Business Exporters and Dislocated

This executive order creates an interagency task force to help small businesses, particularly those owned by women, minorities, and rural operators, export to China, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean Basin. It also directs the Department of Labor to expedite and expand outreach for dislocated worker assistance programs, including trade adjustment aid.

Federal Register Open PDF 65 FR 60581

Impact dates

  1. Annual TPCC report to President on task force functions

  2. Annual Labor Department report on China PNTR employment effects

  3. Interagency task force established through TPCC

Key directives

  • Establish interagency task force through TPCC within 60 days
  • Task force to facilitate small business exports to China, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Caribbean Basin
  • Annual TPCC report to President on task force functions
  • Task force to assess export opportunities from China PNTR and AGOA/CBTPA
  • Labor Department to expedite federal response to worker dislocation through proactive information gathering
  • Labor Department to develop employer outreach methods on WARN Act and adjustment programs
  • Labor Department to improve websites and communication for program contacts
  • Labor Department to develop National Toll-Free Help Line for workforce services
  • Labor Department to provide on-site technical assistance for multi-state or significant community layoffs
  • Labor Department to inform states directly of affirmed secondary worker impacts
  • Labor Department to provide outreach campaign funding for secondary workers subject to law and appropriations
  • Annual Labor Department report on China PNTR employment effects

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Task force establishment process begins

Near term (90d)

  • Interagency task force must be established within 60 days
  • Labor Department begins proactive layoff monitoring and outreach expansion

Long term

  • Annual TPCC reports on task force activities
  • Annual Labor Department reports on China PNTR employment effects
  • Ongoing worker dislocation response and small business export facilitation

Risks & tensions

  • Funding for secondary worker outreach campaign explicitly contingent on 'availability of appropriations' — may not materialize
  • Task force housed within existing TPCC structure; no new standalone authority or guaranteed resources
  • Definition of 'underserved populations' limited to women, minorities, and rural communities — excludes other potentially disadvantaged groups
  • No enforcement mechanism or judicial review available per Section 4
  • Vague 'expedite' and 'proactive' language in worker dislocation section lacks measurable benchmarks
Executive Order 13169: Assistance to Small Business Exporters and Dislocated · Executive Orders