Notice2026-04242
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations
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Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Trade Representative, Office of United States
Abstract
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), pursuant to section 4(d) of Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975, section 135(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(c)(1)) as amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. II), expects to establish a new four-year charter term and is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN). The ACTPN is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10670-10671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04242]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the
Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of the charter and request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR),
pursuant to section 4(d) of Executive Order 11846 of March 27, 1975,
section 135(b) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(c)(1)) as
amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. II),
expects to establish a new four-year charter term and is accepting
applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a
member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations
(ACTPN). The ACTPN is a trade advisory committee that provides general
policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade
policy.
DATES: In order to receive full consideration, applications should be
received no later than three weeks from this filing. Nominations will
be accepted after that date on a rolling basis as vacancies arise until
the expiration of the charter term, which is four years from the date
of filing.
ADDRESSES: Submissions should be sent as one PDF document to the Office
of the U.S. Trade Representative, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
and Public Engagement at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#105d52483e454344423e5951405550454344423e757f603e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea3acb6c0bbbdbabcc0a7afbeabaebbbdbabcc08b819ec0898198">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 10671]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Bang, Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement,
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#da90bfb4b4b3bcbfa8f49ef498bbb4bd9aafa9aea8f4bfb5aaf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9e3ccc7c7c0cfccdb87ed87ebc8c7cee9dcdadddb87ccc6d987cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>; and Marshall Stallings, Director for
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b0e3f232a25650665183f2a272722252c380b3e383f39652e243b652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cb8ebfa3aaa5e586e598bfaaa7a7a2a5acb88bbeb8bfb9e5aea4bbe5aca4bd">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
Sections 135(b)(1) and 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 U.S.C. 2155(b)(1) and (c)(1)), provide that the President
shall establish an Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and
Negotiations, and authorize the President to establish individual
general trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor,
agriculture, services, investment, defense, small business, and other
interests, as appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The
President delegated the functions under section 135 to the U.S. Trade
Representative in Executive Order 11846, section 4(d), issued on March
27, 1975. Pursuant to these authorities, the United States Trade
Representative intends to establish a new four-year charter term for
the ACTPN.
The ACTPN is a statutory non-discretionary trade advisory committee
established to provide general advice to the U.S. Trade Representative
on trade policy. More specifically, the ACTPN provides general policy
advice on issues including: (1) negotiating objectives and bargaining
positions before entering into trade agreements; (2) the impact of the
implementation of trade agreements; (3) matters concerning the
operation of any trade agreement once entered into; and (4) other
matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and
administration of the trade policy of the United States.
The ACTPN meets as needed, at the call of the U.S. Trade
Representative or their designee, or two-thirds of the ACTPN members,
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade
negotiations and the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative.
II. Membership
The ACTPN is composed of not more than 45 members who have
expertise in general trade, investment, and development issues
including representatives of labor, industry, agriculture, small
business, service industries, retailers, nongovernmental organizations,
and non-federal governments. ACTPN membership will be broadly
representative of the key sectors and groups of the economy affected by
trade.
The United States Trade Representative recommends individuals to
serve on the ACTPN. Members are appointed by and serve at the
discretion of the President, for a term that will not exceed the
duration of this charter. Individuals can be reappointed for any number
of terms.
The U.S. Trade Representative strongly encourages diverse
backgrounds and perspectives and makes recommendations for members to
serve on the ACTPN without regard to political affiliation and in
accordance with equal opportunity practices. USTR strives to ensure
balance in terms of sectors, expertise, and other factors relevant to
USTR's needs.
ACTPN members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend
meetings or otherwise participate in ACTPN activities.
ACTPN members are expected to represent their sponsoring U.S.
entity's interests on trade, and thus USTR's foremost consideration for
applicants is their ability to carry out the goals of section 135 of
the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the
applicant's knowledge of and expertise in international trade issues as
relevant to the work of the ACTPN and USTR. USTR anticipates that
almost all ACTPN members will serve in a representative capacity with a
very limited number serving in an individual capacity as a subject
matter expert. These members, known as special government employees or
SGEs, are subject to conflict-of-interest rules and may have to
complete a financial disclosure report.
III. Request for Nominations
USTR is soliciting nominations for membership of the ACTPN. To
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility
criteria:
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S.
governmental agency.
3. If serving in an individual capacity, the applicant cannot be a
federally registered lobbyist.
4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
5. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming
majority of the ACTPN, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues
relevant to U.S. trade policy.
6. For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S.
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
7. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the
applicant must possess subject matter expertise on trade policy.
In order to be considered for ACTPN membership, interested persons
should submit the following in one PDF document to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c38e819bed96909791ed8a8293868396909791eda6acb3eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4f020d17611a1c1b1d61060e1f0a0f1a1c1b1d612a203f61282039">[email protected]</span></a>.
<bullet> Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the
individual requesting consideration.
<bullet> A sponsor letter on the organization's letterhead
containing a brief description of the manner in which international
trade affects the organization and why USTR should consider the
applicant for membership.
<bullet> The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive
biography.
<bullet> An affirmative statement that the applicant and the
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility criteria.
USTR will consider applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria
in accordance with equal opportunity practices, based on the following
factors:
<bullet> Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S.
organization's and its subsector's interests on trade matters.
<bullet> Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to
the work of the ACTPN and USTR.
<bullet> How they will contribute to America First trade policies
that create new opportunities and higher living standards for families,
farmers, manufacturers, workers, and businesses.
Jennifer Bang,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2026-04242 Filed 3-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P
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