U.S. Trade Representative
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is the President's principal advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade policy. The office was created by the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2171) as an agency of the Executive Office of the President, and by statute the USTR holds "primary responsibility for developing, and for coordinating the implementation of," U.S. trade policy. The USTR is a Cabinet-level position, confirmed by the Senate, and leads U.S. negotiations at the World Trade Organization and in trade agreements.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is the President’s principal advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade policy. The office was created by the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. § 2171) as an agency of the Executive Office of the President, and by statute the USTR holds “primary responsibility for developing, and for coordinating the implementation of,” U.S. trade policy. The USTR is a Cabinet-level position, confirmed by the Senate, and leads U.S. negotiations at the World Trade Organization and in trade agreements.
Example: U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress in April 2020 that the final implementation steps for the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) were complete, allowing it to enter into force on July 1, 2020.
Common misconception: The USTR is not the Department of Commerce. Commerce administers trade functions like import administration, while the USTR — a separate Executive Office of the President agency — leads negotiations and represents the United States in trade disputes.
Sources: Office of the United States Trade Representative agency page, Federal Register; CRS Report R48884, Congressional Research Service via congress.gov; USMCA entry into force press release, USTR