U.S. export programs and promotion tools

This book provides an overview of the federal government agencies that participate in U.S. export promotion efforts, as well as the issues that they raise for Congress.

The recent global economic downturn has renewed congressional debate over the role of the federal government in promoting exports.

This debate has been heightened with the Obama Administration's introduction of the National Export Initiative (NEI) in the 2010 State of the Union Address.

Some Members of Congress have placed greater priority on understanding the co-ordination, budgets, and functions of federal agencies involved in export promotion.

Such an understanding may increase congressional oversight of export promotion policy and related legislative activity.