Notice2026-04861
Notice of Continuation and Request for Applications for the Industry Trade Advisory Committees
Primary source
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Published
March 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Trade Representative, Office of United States
Abstract
The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) expect to establish a new four- year charter term and are accepting applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as members of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs). The ITACs provide policy and technical advice, information, and recommendations regarding negotiation of trade agreements, the operation of existing trade agreements, and other U.S. trade policy matters to the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative. Applications are now open for membership on each ITAC for the 2026-2030 charter term. Interested individuals should submit their application by April 2, 2026, for consideration of membership on the ITACs at the start of the charter term.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12272-12274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04861]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Notice of Continuation and Request for Applications for the
Industry Trade Advisory Committees
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of the charters and request for applications.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade
Representative (Trade Representative) expect to establish a new four-
year charter term and are accepting applications from qualified
individuals interested in serving as members of the Industry Trade
Advisory Committees (ITACs). The ITACs provide policy and technical
advice, information, and recommendations regarding negotiation of trade
agreements, the operation of existing trade agreements, and other U.S.
trade policy matters to the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade
Representative. Applications are now open for membership on each ITAC
for the 2026-2030 charter term. Interested individuals should submit
their application by April 2, 2026, for consideration of membership on
the ITACs at the start of the charter term.
DATES: In order to receive full consideration for initial membership,
applications should be received not later than April 2, 2026.
Applications will be accepted after that date until the expiration of
the charter term, which is four years from the date the Secretary of
Commerce and the Trade Representative file the committees' charters,
for appointments on a rolling basis, as needed and as vacancies arise.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted via the following link:
<a href="https://www.forms.office.com/g/NThdugHmzw">https://www.forms.office.com/g/NThdugHmzw</a>.
After submission of an application through the link, applicants
will be required to submit additional documentation in response to an
automated email. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain
suitability for moderate risk public trust. Additionally, the applicant
must be willing to sign and abide by the terms of a non-disclosure
agreement to protect non-public information, including confidential
international trade information. Please send any questions regarding
the application process or eligibility to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f0b9a4b1b3b08482919495de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c9809d888a89bdbba8adace7aea6bf">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelly Coldiron, Deputy Chief of Staff
and Director of Industry Engagement, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Jesse Graves, Deputy
Director of the Office of Industry Engagement and ITAC Program
Director, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c48d90858784b0b6a5a0a1eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eda4b9acaead999f8c8988c38a829b">[email protected]</span></a>. 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#0349666d6d6a6566712d472d41626d6443767077712d666c732d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd87a8a3a3a4aba8bfe389e38faca3aa8db8beb9bfe3a8a2bde3aaa2bb">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2155),
establishes a private-sector trade advisory system to ensure that U.S.
trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S.
commercial and economic interests. Section 135(c)(2) (19 U.S.C.
2155(c)(2)) directs the President to establish sectoral or functional
trade advisory committees, as appropriate, to provide policy and
technical advice, information, and recommendations regarding
negotiation of trade agreements, the operation of existing trade
agreements, and other U.S. trade policy matters. Those committees
shall, as practicable, be representative of all industry, labor,
agriculture, or service interests, including small business interests,
in the sector or functional areas concerned. Additionally, the ITACs
are subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
See 19 U.S.C. 2155(f); 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.
II. Committees for the 2026-2030 Charter Term
The Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative intend to
establish imminently a new four-year charter term for the following
ITACs:
<bullet> ITAC 1: Aerospace and Defense Equipment
<bullet> ITAC 2: Automotive Equipment and Capital Goods
<bullet> ITAC 3: Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Health/Science Products
and Services
<bullet> ITAC 4: Consumer Goods
[[Page 12273]]
<bullet> ITAC 5: Critical Minerals and Nonferrous Metals
<bullet> ITAC 6: Digital Economy
<bullet> ITAC 7: Energy and Energy Services
<bullet> ITAC 8: Forest Products and Building Materials
<bullet> ITAC 9: Small Business
<bullet> ITAC 10: Services
<bullet> ITAC 11: Steel
<bullet> ITAC 12: Textiles and Clothing
<bullet> ITAC 13: Customs Matters and Trade Facilitation
<bullet> ITAC 14: Intellectual Property Rights
<bullet> ITAC 15: Standards and Technical Trade Barriers
<bullet> Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees
The listed committees for the 2026-2030 charter term contain two
title changes from the 2022-2026 charter term. ITAC 1's title will be
updated to include ``and Defense'', and ``Minority, and Woman-Led''
will be removed from ITAC 9's title.
III. Membership
Each ITAC will consist of not more than 50 members with experience
relevant to the industry or subject area for the applicable committee.
Members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade
Representative. All ITAC members serve in a representative capacity and
present the views and interests of a sponsoring U.S. entity or U.S.
organization and the entity's or organization's subsector (if
applicable). There are no special government employees (SGEs) on the
ITACs. In selecting members, the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade
Representative consider the applicant's ability to represent the
sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's and its subsector's
interests on trade matters; the applicant's ability to carry out the
objectives of the ITAC, including knowledge of the industry and of
trade matters relevant to the work of the ITAC; the applicant's ability
to contribute to the development, implementation, and administration of
the America First Trade Policy in advancing U.S. trade interests; and
the need to ensure that the ITAC is balanced in terms of represented
industry subsectors, points of view, geography, and entity or
organization size. Race or sex shall not be considered in selection of
the ITACs' membership. ITAC members are to serve without regard to
political affiliation.
The Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative appoint all
ITAC members for a term of four years or until the renewed ITAC charter
expires, and members serve at the discretion of the Secretary of
Commerce and the Trade Representative. Individuals can be reappointed
for any number of terms. Appointments are made around the time an ITAC
is re-chartered and periodically throughout the four-year charter term.
ITAC members serve without compensation, including reimbursement of
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend
meetings or otherwise participate in ITAC activities.
The ITACs meet as needed, depending on various factors such as the
level of activity of trade negotiations and the needs of the Secretary
of Commerce and the Trade Representative. On average, each ITAC meets
six times a year, both in person and virtually.
IV. Request for Applications
The Department of Commerce and the Office of the United States
Trade Representative are soliciting applications for membership on the
ITACs. To apply for membership, an applicant must meet the following
eligibility criteria:
1. The applicant must be a United States citizen.
2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a governmental
agency or 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 suitability
for moderate risk public trust and be willing to sign and abide by the
terms of a non-disclosure agreement to protect non-public information,
including confidential, international trade information.
5. The applicant must represent either:
a. A U.S. entity that is directly engaged in the import or export
of goods or services or that provides services in direct support of the
international trading activities of other entities; or
b. A U.S. organization that trades internationally, represents
members that trade internationally, or, consistent with the needs of an
ITAC as determined by the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade
Representative, represents members who have a demonstrated interest in
international trade.
<bullet> For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. entity'' is a for-
profit firm engaged in commercial, industrial, or professional
activities that is incorporated in the United States (or is an
unincorporated U.S. firm with its principal place of business in the
United States) that is controlled by U.S. citizens or by other U.S.
entities. An entity is not a U.S. entity if 50 percent plus one share
of its stock (if a corporation, or a similar ownership interest of an
unincorporated entity) is known to be controlled, directly or
indirectly, by non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. entities.
<bullet> For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an
organization, including a trade association, labor union or
organization, and nongovernmental organization (NGO), 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), as 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.
<bullet> An applicant who will represent an entity or organization
known to have 10 percent or greater non-U.S. ownership of its shares or
equity, non-U.S. board members, non-U.S. membership, or non-U.S.
funding sources, as applicable, must demonstrate that this non-U.S.
interest does not constitute control and will not adversely affect his/
her ability to serve as a trade advisor to the United States.
To be considered for ITAC membership, interested persons should
complete an application through the following link: <a href="https://forms.office.com/g/NThdugHmzw">https://forms.office.com/g/NThdugHmzw</a>.
After submission of the linked application form, applicants will
receive an automated email requesting the applicant to directly submit
relevant application documents. The Department of Commerce and/or the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative may also reach out to the
applicant to request additional documentation. Applicants must monitor
the email address and phone number provided via the application form to
promptly respond to all requests for documentation to ensure the
consideration of their application.
The following documents are required to be submitted in response to
the automated email after the submission of the application form.
Applicants who do not provide these documents will not be considered
for membership.
<bullet> Personal r[eacute]sum[eacute] or comprehensive biography
indicating relevant international trade and industry expertise.
<bullet> Sponsor letter on the sponsoring entity's or
organization's letterhead containing a brief description of why the
Secretary of Commerce and the
[[Page 12274]]
Trade Representative should consider the applicant for membership. If
the applicant is a consultant representing the sponsoring organization,
specifically note that within the sponsor letter along with any
relevant details regarding the nature of the consultancy.
<bullet> Recent annual report or profile of the sponsoring
organization. If the sponsoring organization is an association or
otherwise maintains a relevant membership or client list, include the
membership or client list of the sponsoring organization to determine
if the sponsoring organization represents foreign entities.
<bullet> Any additional documentation as helpful or necessary for
the Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative to consider the
application. Such additional information will not be necessary for all
applicants, but rather on a case-by-case basis for applicants who may
have special considerations.
The Secretary of Commerce and the Trade Representative will
consider applicants based on the following selection 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> Ability to carry out the objectives of the ITAC, including
knowledge of the represented industry and of trade matters relevant to
the work of the ITAC;
<bullet> Ability to contribute to the development, implementation,
and administration of the America First Trade Policy in advancing U.S.
trade interests; and
<bullet> Balancing of represented industry subsectors, points of
view, geography, and entity or organization size to ensure the ITACs
represent the breadth of U.S. trade policy interests.
Any questions regarding the application process or eligibility may
be sent to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b322f3a383b0f091a1f1e551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bcf5e8fdfffcc8ceddd8d992dbd3ca">[email protected]</span></a>.
Jennifer Bang,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2026-04861 Filed 3-11-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F4-P
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