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The Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC)
of the United States Trade Representative
What is it, what does it do, and where did it come from?
Overview | Reports | Services Working Group | Links
The Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee (IGPAC) is one of six trade policy advisory committees established by Congress under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, designed to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interest. IGPAC is managed solely by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and provides information and advice with respect to US negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements; on the operation of any agreement; and on other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation and administration of US trade policy. According to IGPAC's charter, it is..."established to provide overall policy advice on trade policy matters that have a significant relationship to the affairs of state and local governments..." Section 306(c)(2)(a) of the Trade and Tariff Act of 1984 states that the President shall consult with the States through IGPAC, but USTR is not bound to follow its recommendations.
IGPAC has over 30 members including state legislators, governors, mayors, state court justices, state trade directors, and other state & local officials (Member List as of March 2007). Several associations, including the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments (CSG), the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) are also represented. IGPAC meets at the call of USTR and its members join monthly conference calls with USTR's State Points of Contact (SPOCs - for more information, see the USTR site). Those members with a security clearance have access to USTR negotiating documents, based on which IGPAC prepares reports detailing state and local positions on all trade agreements. IGPAC also submits occasional position statements or questions on state and local interests in current trade policy to USTR.
IGPAC is currently chaired by Kay Wilkie of the New York State Department of Economic Development:
30 South Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12245
phone: 518-292-5270/ fax: 518-292-5804
email: kwilkie@empire.state.ny.us
- US – Australia FTA (March 12, 2004)
- US – Bahrain FTA (July 14, 2004)
- CAFTA-DR (March 19, 2004)
- US – Chile FTA (February 28, 2003)
- US - Colombia FTA (Sep. 15, 2006)
- US - Korea FTA (April 24, 2007)
- US – Morocco FTA (April 2, 2004)
- US – Oman FTA (Nov. 15, 2005)
- US - Panama FTA (April 24, 2007)
- US - Peru FTA (Feb. 1, 2007)
- US – Singapore FTA (February 28, 2003)
Reports on Multilateral Agreements and General State and Local Issues
Since its formation in June 2005, the IGPAC Services Working Group (SWG) has been analyzing General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) documents in the public domain and providing commentary reflecting state and local governments’ policy, legal and regulatory perspectives. SWG membership includes IGPAC cleared advisors as well as experts and interested parties external to IGPAC. Comprehensive SWG analysis of complex GATS provisions has allowed for productive dialogue with USTR colleagues and for broader public awareness of state and local government trade policy interests.
For questions on NCSL's role in IGPAC, please contact Jeremy Meadows.
Updated: March 26, 2008
 Economic Development & Trade Issue Page
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