What the United States Trade Representative does
Negotiates America's trade deals and decides when to fight foreign trade cheating.
Common misconceptions(2)
- Collects tariffsActually: USTR sets tariff rates. Customs and Border Protection (under DHS) actually collects tariffs at the border.
- Promotes U.S. exportsActually: Export promotion — helping companies sell overseas — is done mostly by the Commerce Department. USTR handles the rules of trade.