ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13601Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13601

Establishment of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center

TradeTradeFederal WorkforceFederal WorkforceDefense & SecurityDefense & Security

In simple terms

This executive order creates the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international agreements and domestic trade laws across multiple federal agencies. The Center brings together personnel from State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies to identify foreign trade barriers and unfair practices.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 12981

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 77 FR 12981

    Federal Register PDF

Key directives

  • Establish Interagency Trade Enforcement Center within USTR
  • Designate Center Director as full-time senior USTR official reporting to USTR
  • Designate Deputy Director as full-time senior Commerce official detailed to Center
  • Designate Intelligence Community Liaison recommended by DNI
  • Coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights and domestic trade laws across enumerated agencies
  • Consult with Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator on IP-related enforcement
  • Encourage agencies to detail/assign employees to Center without reimbursement
  • Conduct outreach to workers, businesses, and interested persons

Who is ordered

What to expect

Immediate

  • Center established within USTR upon signing
  • Director and Deputy Director positions created
  • Agency coordination structure activated

Near term (90d)

  • Agency personnel detailing to Center expected to begin
  • Intelligence Community Liaison designated
  • Outreach to businesses and workers initiated

Long term

  • Ongoing coordination of trade enforcement actions
  • Information exchange protocols with Intelligence Community operationalized
  • Potential expansion to additional designated agencies

Risks & tensions

  • Effectiveness contingent on voluntary agency cooperation and 'availability of appropriations'—no dedicated funding mandate
  • Personnel detailing 'without reimbursement' may create resource tensions between agencies
  • Intelligence Community involvement in trade enforcement raises potential classification/sharing boundary issues
  • Vague 'to the extent permitted by law' language creates implementation uncertainty
  • No enforcement mechanism if agencies decline to participate fully
Executive Order 13601: Establishment of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center · Executive Orders