[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20030-20031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07264]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the 
Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
establishing a new four-year charter term and accepting applications 
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the 
Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC). The IGPAC 
is a trade advisory committee that provides general policy advice and 
guidance to the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy and 
development matters that have a significant relationship to the affairs 
of U.S. state and local governments.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership 
on the IGPAC for the four-year charter term beginning in April 2022. To 
ensure consideration before the new charter term, you should submit 
your application by May 4, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sophia Sokolowski, Director for 
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, 
[email protected], or 202-881-6968.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general 
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture, 
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as 
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated 
that authority to the U.S. Trade Representative in Executive Order 
11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. With limited statutory 
exceptions, the TACA is subject to the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act.
    Pursuant to these authorities, the U.S. Trade Representative 
intends to establish a new four-year charter term for the IGPAC, which 
will begin in April 2022.
    The IGPAC is a discretionary trade advisory committee established 
to provide general policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on 
trade policy and development matters that have a significant 
relationship to the affairs of U.S. state and local governments. More 
specifically, the IGPAC provides general policy advice on issues that 
may affect U.S. state and local governments including: (1) Negotiating 
objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade 
agreements; (2) the impact of the implementation of trade agreements; 
(3) matters concerning the operation of any trade agreement once 
entered into; and (4) other matters arising in connection with the 
development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of 
the United States.
    The IGPAC meets as needed, at the call of the U.S. Trade 
Representative or their designee, or two-thirds of the IGPAC members, 
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade 
negotiations and the needs of the U.S. Trade Representative.

II. Membership

    The IGPAC is composed of not more than 35 members who have 
expertise in general trade, investment and development issues and are 
appointed from U.S. states and localities, and other non-Federal 
governmental entities. Members represent the executive and legislative 
branches of state, county, and municipal governments and may hold 
elective or appointive office. Fostering diversity, equity, inclusion 
and accessibility (DEIA) is one of the top priorities.
    The U.S. Trade Representative appoints IGPAC members for a term 
that will not exceed the duration of this charter. IGPAC members must 
be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance in order to serve 
and have access to classified and trade sensitive documents. They must 
meet the eligibility requirements described below at the time of 
appointment and at all times during their term of service. Members 
serve at the discretion of the U.S. Trade Representative. Individuals 
can be reappointed for any number of terms.
    The U.S. Trade Representative is committed to a trade agenda that 
advances racial equity and supports underserved communities and will 
seek advice and recommendations on trade policies that eliminate social 
and economic structural barriers to equality and economic opportunity, 
and to better understand the projected impact of proposed trade 
policies on communities of color and underserved communities. The U.S. 
Trade Representative strongly encourages diverse backgrounds and 
perspectives and makes appointments to the IGPAC without regard to 
political affiliation and in accordance with equal opportunity 
practices that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 
USTR strives to ensure balance in terms of sectors, demographics, 
regional diversity, and other factors relevant to USTR's needs.
    IGPAC members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of 
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend 
meetings or otherwise participate in IGPAC activities.
    The U.S. Trade Representative appoints IGPAC members to represent 
the executive and legislative branches of state, county, and municipal 
governments. USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is their 
ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 
1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge of 
and expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work of 
the IGPAC and USTR.

III. Request for Nominations

    USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the IGPAC. To 
apply for

[[Page 20031]]

membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria 
at the time of application and at all times during their term of 
service as an IGPAC member:
    1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. 
governmental entity.
    3. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    6. The applicant must represent the executive or legislative branch 
of a state, county, or municipal government or an organization 
comprised of or representing these entities.
    In order to be considered for IGPAC membership, interested persons 
should submit the following to Sophia Sokolowski, Director for 
Intergovernmental Affairs, at [email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     A letter on the entity's letterhead from the sponsoring 
executive or legislative branch of a state, county, or municipal 
government, containing a brief description of the manner in which 
international trade affects the state, county, or municipality and why 
USTR should consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive 
biography.
     An affirmative statement that the applicant and the entity 
they represent meet all eligibility requirements.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria in 
accordance with equal opportunity practices that promote diversity, 
equity, inclusion, and accessibility, based on the following factors:
     Ability to represent the sponsoring executive or 
legislative branch of a state, county, or municipal government 
interests on international trade matters.
     Knowledge of and experience in trade matters relevant to 
the work of the IGPAC and USTR.
     How they will contribute to trade policies that eliminate 
social and economic structural barriers to equality and economic 
opportunity and to understanding of the projected impact of proposed 
trade policies on communities of color and underserved communities.
     Ensuring that the IGPAC is balanced in terms of points of 
view, demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.

Sophia Sokolowski,
Director for Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the United States 
Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2022-07264 Filed 4-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F2-P