In two recent letters, several U.S. congressional representatives from both parties have signed off on letters to the U.S. House Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Subcommittee supporting the importance of federal funding for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS). To view these letters, please download CJS USFCS Request Letter-1 and CJS USFCS Request Letter-2
The US&FCS plays a critical role in assisting American exporters in being competitive in the global marketplace. As a country, the United States spends far less on government export assistance than most U.S. competitors. Experienced American exporters know that having a U.S. foreign commercial officer attend meetings with potential foreign customers such as distributors often is an essential in getting such business. The federal government, under the Foreign Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, has the exclusive power to regulate foreign commerce and part of the nature of that regulatory power includes the power to promote such commerce. Further, the return on U.S. taxpayer for federal dollars spent on federal government export assistance is unsurpassed and results in U.S. economic growth and job creation. The reality of the 21st century American economy is that it is a global economy. Trade protectionism and economic isolationism are dead-ends and if the U.S. is to remain the world’s leading economic superpower, its export sector will need to be strong and thriving. While federal governmental assistance to U.S. exporters is only part of that equation, it is an important part that should not be overlooked or dismissed on either ideological or policy grounds.
