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Memo 13534MemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum 13534

Maximizing the Effectiveness of Federal Programs and Functions Supporting Trade and Investment

This 2012 memorandum directs the Export Promotion Cabinet and Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to better coordinate federal trade and investment programs, improve customer service for exporters through BusinessUSA, evaluate and recommend streamlining of trade-related budgets and programs, co-locate offices and cross-train staff, and develop administrative initiatives to support business competitiveness pending congressional reorganization authority. It aims to maximize efficiency of existing resources rather than create new programs, in service of doubling exports by 2014.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 10935

Impact dates

  1. Evaluation of resource allocation and recommendations to OMB Director

  2. Proposed unified Federal trade budget presented to OMB Director for annual budget process

  3. BusinessUSA platform development (supporting Steering Committee from Oct 28, 2011 memorandum)

Key directives

  • Export Promotion Cabinet shall develop strategies and initiatives with TPCC for trade and investment goals
  • Support Steering Committee creating BusinessUSA online platform for exporters
  • Evaluate allocation of federal resources for trade financing, negotiation, enforcement, promotion, and foreign investment; identify savings from streamlining duplicative programs
  • Make recommendations to OMB Director for more effective resource allocation
  • Present proposed unified Federal trade budget to OMB Director for President's Budget
  • Co-locate offices, cross-train staff, and incorporate commercial diplomacy/referrals into employee performance evaluations
  • Work with National Economic Council to develop administrative initiatives to align programs for business competitiveness pending Consolidation Authority

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Export Promotion Cabinet to develop strategies with TPCC
  • Assistant to President/Deputy NSA for International Economics designated as coordinator

Near term (90d)

  • Evaluation of resource allocation for trade financing, negotiation, enforcement, promotion, and foreign investment encouragement
  • Recommendations to OMB Director on resource reallocation
  • Development of proposed unified Federal trade budget for President's Budget process
  • Steps to co-locate offices, cross-train staff, and align performance evaluations

Long term

  • BusinessUSA platform development for seamless exporter access to government services
  • Pending legislation: development of administrative initiatives to align programs supporting business competitiveness, innovation, and export growth
  • Potential agency reorganization if Consolidation Authority granted by Congress

Risks & tensions

  • Dependent on voluntary interagency coordination without enforcement mechanism; 'shall' language weakened by 'subject to availability of appropriations' and 'consistent with applicable law'
  • Proposed agency reorganization requires congressional Consolidation Authority that was never granted
  • Ambiguous timeline: no specific deadlines for evaluations, recommendations, or budget submission
  • Potential turf conflicts among six-plus agencies with trade/investment functions
  • BusinessUSA platform referenced but not defined in this document; dependent on prior October 2011 memorandum
Presidential Memorandum 13534: Maximizing the Effectiveness of Federal Programs and Functions Supporting Trade and Investment · Executive Orders