THE INDUSTRY CONSULTATIONS PROGRAM

INDUSTRY SECTOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WHOLESALING AND RETAILING

FOR TRADE POLICY MATTERS


Background Information
The Industry Sector Advisory Committee (ISAC) on Wholesaling and Retailing is comprised of industry representatives from the wholesaling and retailing sector that includes such markets as wholesale trade, general merchandise stores, food stores, apparel stores, and miscellaneous retail. In 1997, sales of wholesale services by foreign-based affiliates of U.S. firms totaled $14.8 billion, representing 6 percent of total U.S. sales of services through affiliates. While the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan are key markets, Latin America is showing robust growth. 

Industry representatives serving on the Wholesaling and Retailing ISAC provide advice on trade policy matters.  Recently, members of the Wholesaling and Retailing ISAC have provided advice on a range of issues that included: analyzing the benefits of the U.S.-China Bilateral Agreement for the sector and providing advice in preparation for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial in Seattle.  The members supported liberalization commitments on investments, intermodal transportation and telecommunications.  Wholesaling and Retailing ISAC members also addressed tariff neutrality for electronic commerce goods and the pursuit of a zero tariff strategy across the board for such transactions.  In the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the Committee made recommendations on market access, national treatment, investment and sectoral coverage.  The Wholesaling and Retailing ISAC has also been instrumental in providing guidance on the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Africa textile legislation.

Industry representatives serving on the Industry Sector Advisory Committee on Wholesaling and Retailing have a voice in U.S. trade policy formulation through the Industry Consultations Program (ICP), which emerged from the 1974 Trade Act, to ensure that trade negotiators were coordinating with the private sector during trade negotiations.  Based on the program's success, the ICP was renewed and expanded by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 and the Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988.  The Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and other agencies work side-by-side with business leaders who serve as advisors to the U.S. Government.  The Department of Commerce and USTR have joint responsibility for operating the advisory committees of the ICP.

Eligibility for Membership on the Wholesaling and Retailing ISAC
Committee members are U.S. citizens representing U.S. manufacturing or service firms in the wholesaling and retailing industry, trade internationally, and have a special interest in and knowledge of international trade issues. Representatives of industry associations may also participate. Additional information can be found on the Industry Consultations Program's website at www.ita.doc.gov/icp or by contacting:

The Industry Consultations Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th & Constitution Avenue NW, Room 2015-B
Washington, DC 20230
phone:  (202) 482-3268; fax:  (202) 482-4452
e-mail: Trade_Advisory_Center@ita.doc.gov