Notice2026-04245
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade
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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) expects to establish a new four-year charter term and is accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC). The IGPAC is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy and development matters that have a significant impact on the affairs of U.S. state and local governments.
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 10665-10667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04245]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the
Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade
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)
expects to establish a new four-year charter term and is accepting
applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as a
member of the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade
(IGPAC). The IGPAC is a trade advisory committee that provides general
policy advice and guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade
policy and development matters that have a significant impact on the
affairs of U.S. state and local governments.
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#521f100a7c070106007c1b13021712070106007c373d227c353d24"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6ebe4fe88f3f5f2f488efe7f6e3e6f3f5f2f488c3c9d688c1c9d0">[email protected]</span></a>.
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#044e616a6a6d6261762a402a46656a6344717770762a616b742a636b72"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2e8c7cccccbc4c7d08ce68ce0c3ccc5e2d7d1d6d08cc7cdd28cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>; and Marshall Stallings, Director for
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6c2918040d024221423f180d000005020b1f2c191f181e4209031c420b031a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9fccdd1d8d797f497eacdd8d5d5d0d7decaf9cccacdcb97dcd6c997ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C.
2155(c)(1)), authorizes 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. Section 135(c)(3)
authorizes the President to establish policy advisory committees
representing non-Federal governmental interests to provide policy
advice. The President delegated that authority to the U.S. Trade
Representative in Executive Order 11846, section 4(d), issued on March
27, 1975. With limited statutory exceptions, the IGPAC is subject to
the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Pursuant to these
authorities, the U.S. Trade Representative intends to establish a new
four-year charter term for the IGPAC.
The IGPAC is a discretionary trade advisory committee established
to provide general policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on
trade policy and development matters that have a significant impact on
the affairs of U.S. state and local governments. More specifically, the
IGPAC provides general policy advice on issues that may affect U.S.
state and local governments 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 IGPAC meets as needed, at the call of the U.S. Trade
Representative or their designee, or two-thirds of the IGPAC 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 IGPAC is composed of not more than 35 members who have
expertise in general trade, investment, and development issues, and are
appointed from U.S. states and localities, and other non-Federal
governmental entities. Members represent the executive and legislative
branches of state, county, and municipal governments and may hold
elective or appointive office.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints IGPAC members for a term
that will not exceed the duration of this charter. IGPAC members must
be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or complete a
background investigation and non-disclosure agreement, in order to
serve and have access to classified and trade sensitive documents. They
must meet the eligibility requirements described below at the time of
appointment and at all times during their term of service. Members
serve at the discretion of the U.S. Trade Representative. Individuals
can be reappointed for any number of terms.
The U.S. Trade Representative is committed to an agenda that
advances fair and reciprocal trading practices and will seek advice and
recommendations on policies that will support long-term American
prosperity and national security. The U.S. Trade Representative
strongly encourages diverse backgrounds and perspectives and makes
appointments to the IGPAC without regard to political affiliation and
in accordance with equal opportunity practices. IGPAC members serve
without either compensation or reimbursement of expenses. Members are
responsible for all expenses they incur to attend meetings or otherwise
participate in IGPAC activities.
The U.S. Trade Representative appoints IGPAC members to represent
the executive and legislative branches of state, county, and municipal
governments. USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is their
ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of
1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge of
and expertise in international trade issues relevant to the work of the
IGPAC and USTR.
[[Page 10666]]
III. Request for Nominations
USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the IGPAC. To
apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility
criteria at the time of application and at all times during their term
of service as an IGPAC member:
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S.
governmental entity.
3. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
4. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security
clearance or complete a background investigation and a non-disclosure
agreement.
5. The applicant must represent the executive or legislative branch
of a state, county, or municipal government or an organization composed
of or representing these entities.
In order to be considered for IGPAC membership, interested persons
should submit the following as one PDF document to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e3aea1bbcdb6b0b7b1cdaaa2b3a6a3b6b0b7b1cd868c93cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd909f85f3888e898ff3949c8d989d888e898ff3b8b2adf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>.
Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the individual
requesting consideration.
<bullet> A letter on the entity's letterhead from the sponsoring
executive or legislative branch of a state, county, or municipal
government, containing a brief description of the manner in which
international trade affects the state, county, or municipality 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 entity
they represent meet all eligibility requirements.
USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in
accordance with equal opportunity practices, based on the following
factors:
<bullet> Ability to represent the sponsoring executive or
legislative branch of a state, county, or municipal government
interests on international trade matters.
<bullet> Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to
the work of the IGPAC and USTR.
<bullet> How they will contribute to America First trade policies
that create new opportunities and higher living standards for American
families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, and businesses.
IV. Public Interest Determination
Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 102-3.60(a), to establish, renew,
reestablish, or merge a q discretionary (agency discretion) advisory
committee, an agency must first consult with the General Services
Administration's Committee Management Secretariat (the Secretariat)
and, as part of the consultation, provide a written public interest
determination approved by the head of the agency to the Secretariat
with a copy to the Office of Management and Budget. In addition,
pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 102-3.35, an agency shall follow the same
consultation process and document in writing the same determination of
need before creating a subcommittee under a discretionary committee
that is not made up entirely of members of a parent advisory committee.
Information on the following factors for the committee is provided
to the Secretariate to demonstrate that renewing the committee is in
the public interest:
1. Annual Budget: $20,000.
a. Federal Personnel on a Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Basis: 0.17.
b. Other Federal Internal Costs: Security clearance and background
investigations facilitated by the DOJ for committee members that do not
have a clearance. This would cost around $370 per clearance for the
DOJ. We do not anticipate every committee member will need a security
clearance; thus, it will be difficult to estimate the cost.
c. Proposed Payments to Members: None.
d. Proposed Number of Members: Up to 30.
e. Reimbursable Costs: None.
2. If Applicable, the Total Dollar Value of Grants Expected to be
Recommended During the Fiscal Year: None.
3. Criteria for Selecting Members To Ensure the Committee has the
Necessary Expertise and Fairly Balance Membership:
USTR will consider applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria
based on the following factors:
a. Ability to represent the sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S.
organization's and its subsector's interests on trade matters.
b. Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to the
work of the committee and USTR.
c. How they will contribute to America First trade policies that
create new opportunities and higher living standards for families,
farmers, manufacturers, workers, and businesses.
The U.S. Trade Representative strongly encourages diverse
backgrounds and perspectives and makes recommendations for members to
serve on the committee 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.
4. List of All Other Federal Advisory Committees of the Agency:
Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN),
Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) with USDA, Agricultural
Technical Advisory Committees for Trade (ATAC) with USDA, Industry
Trade Advisory Committees (ITAC) with DOC, Labor Advisory Committee
(LAC) with DOL, Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory
Committee with USDA, Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA), and
Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC).
5. Justification That the Information or Advice Provided by the
Federal Advisory Committee or Subcommittee Is Not Available From
Another Federal Advisory Committee, Another Federal Government Source,
or Any Other More Cost-Effective and Less Burdensome Source: The trade
advisory committees are an integral link between diverse stakeholders
and the U.S. Government and empowers the United States to display a
united front when it negotiates trade agreements with other nations.
The committee offers both consensus advice and input from knowledgeable
and experienced representatives of all sectors of the U.S. economy that
are affected by trade, which is not otherwise available. Other means of
obtaining these vital contributions, such as other Federal advisory
committees or sources, would not include the full range of views
represented by the trade advisory committees.
6. If the Consultation is a Committee Renewal, a Summary of the
Previous Accomplishments of the Committee and the Reasons It Needs To
Continue:
Congress established the Trade Advisory Committee system through
Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act), as amended (19 U.S.C.
2155) to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiating objectives
adequately reflect U.S. public and private sector interests.
The trade advisory committees provide information and advice on
U.S. negotiating objectives, the operation of trade agreements, and
other matters arising in connection with the development,
implementation, and administration of U.S. trade policy. At the
conclusion of certain trade negotiations, appropriate committees must
report on the effects of the proposed agreement (19 U.S.C. 2155(e)).
This committee was integral to the development of proposals related
to the Agreements on Reciprocal Trade
[[Page 10667]]
negotiations, especially with respect to trading partners in Sub-
Saharan Africa. The committee members help USTR to identify market-
access problems, non-tariff barriers, discriminatory foreign practices,
import restrictions, currency valuation issues, and notable others
trade issues that disadvantage U.S. exporters in international markets.
Their advice and counsel remain imperative as USTR continues to advance
the reciprocal trade negotiations.
7. Explanation of Why the Committee Is Essential to the Conduct of
Agency Business:
The committee includes a broad swath of representatives of
industry, agriculture, small business, labor, service industries,
retailers, non-federal governments, nongovernmental organizations, and
consumer interests who have expertise in general trade, investment, and
development issues. This committee is a crucial resource for the United
States Trade Representative to hear stakeholder feedback and to build
support for a robust trade agenda that promotes investment and
productivity, enhances our Nation's industrial and technological
advantages, defends our economic and national security, and--above
all--benefits American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers,
entrepreneurs, and businesses.
This public interest determination documents that renewing the
committee is essential to the conduct of agency business and that the
information to be obtained is not already available through another
advisory committee or source within the Federal Government.
Jennifer Bang,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2026-04245 Filed 3-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P
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