The economic section advances the Department of State’s economic statecraft agenda in order to contribute to American prosperity and jobs back home. It promotes free trade; a level playing field for American companies; American exports; energy security; environmental sustainability; innovation through robust science, entrepreneurship and technology practices; job-creating investment in the United States; and American values through corporate social responsibility. Through the Bilateral Stratetic Dialogue, Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, Partnership for Growth and other bilateral mechanisms, it promotes areas of mutual interest with the Philippines, including international economic cooperation in fora such as the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and ASEAN, in order to sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world. It aims to provide access for American businesses operating in the Philippines to the U.S. government, while providing timely and relevant information to Americans operating or considering operating here.
For more information on how our Economic Section can help you, please refer to our Business Tab.
Other U.S. Government Agencies
Economic policy in the United States is developed by a wide range of Cabinet-level departments and independent agencies. The National Economic Council, part of the Executive Office of the President, was established by President Clinton at the beginning of his first Administration to coordinate the nation’s economic policy under the President.
The Department of State staffs the economic sections of U.S. Embassies around the world and plays a coordinating role in developing international aspects of American economic policy.
The Department of the Treasury has primary responsibility for the United States’ international economic policy, particularly in the field of financial and fiscal policy. The Treasury Department also develops tax policy, manages the country’s debt and regulates parts of the financial system. The Internal Revenue Service and the Comptroller of the Currency are part of the Treasury Department.
The Department of Commerce is responsible for a wide range of economic policy functions, including the implementation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws, the licensing of sensitive exports, and the promotion of American exports. The U.S. Commercial Service promotes American exports and assists American business through offices throughout the United States and in U.S. Embassies overseas. The Patent and Trade Office administers U.S. patent and trademark laws, and also advises the administration on trade related aspects of domestic and international intellectual property rights protection.
The Department of Agriculture works to ensure a safe, affordable, nutritious and accessible food supply, to expand global markets for agricultural and forest products, and to reduce hunger in America and around the world.
The Department of Labor works with employers and workers to ensure appropriate wages, safe work places, and equal employment opportunities. The Department also publishes a wide range of wage, labor and other economic statistics.
The Department of Energy is a leading science and technology agency whose research supports U.S. energy security, national security, and environmental quality. The DOE also houses the Energy Information Administration, an independent agency which collects, analyzes and publishes a wide range of U.S. and international energy statistics.
The Department of Transportation is responsible for ensuring the efficiency, safety and reliability of the U.S. transportation infrastructure. DOT houses organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The United States Trade Representative serves as the President’s principal advisor, negotiator and spokesman on trade, commodity and direct investment policy. USTR chairs the Trade Policy Review Group to coordinate U.S. Government positions on international trade and trade-related investment issues.
The Federal Communications Commission’s task is to encourage competition in all communications markets and to protect the public interest. The FCC develops and implements policies concerning interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
The International Trade Commission supports both the Administrative and Legislative branches of the U.S. government by determining the impact of imports on U.S. industries and directing actions against unfair trade practices. ITC also updates and publishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the United States.