| | Bureau of Economic and Business AffairsThe Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) formulates and carries out U.S. foreign economic policy, integrating U.S. economic interests with our foreign policy goals so that U.S. firms and investors can compete on an equal basis with their counterparts overseas. It implements American economic policy in cooperation with U.S. companies, U.S. Government agencies, and other organizations. Under the direction of Assistant Secretary E. Anthony Wayne, the bureau negotiates agreements with foreign governments and advances U.S. positions in such international organizations as the International Monetary Fund or World Trade Organization. EB officers:
- Work with the World Trade Organization to establish fair rules of international trade
- Lead U.S. negotiations on bilateral civil aviation treaties
- Negotiate bilateral and regional investment treaties in partnership with USTR
- Combat bribery in international commerce;
- Negotiate debt relief with debtor countries;
- Coordinate issues related to economic sanctions; and
- Foster energy security.
The EB Bureau's organizational structure consists of five units, each headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary:
- Energy, Sanctions and Commodities (EB/ESC);
- International Communications and Information Policy (EB/CIP);
- International Finance and Development (EB/IFD);
- Trade Policy and Programs (EB/TPP);
- Transportation Affairs (EB/TRA).
Civil and Foreign Service officers and support staff bring a wide variety of educational and private sector backgrounds to offices in Washington, DC. They develop U.S. policy, administer programs, negotiate, and represent the Department before Congress, U.S. business and industry, and international organizations. Overseas, embassy economic officers lay the groundwork for negotiations, report on economic trends and the commercial climate, and maintain constant contact with foreign governments to represent U.S. interests. | | | Highlights | Corporate Excellence
Secretary Powell's remarks at the Secretary of State's 2004 Award for Corporate Excellence for Outstanding Corporate Citizenship, Innovation and Exemplary International Business Practices. [photo gallery] [Video Clips]
U.S., Uruguay Sign Bilateral Investment Treaty
On October 25 the U.S and Uruguay signed the U.S. - Uruguay Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in Montevideo, Uruguay. This agreement levels the playing field and ensures that Americans are treated equitably by increasing protection for U.S. investments in this South American nation.
Business at the Forefront
Special Representative Frank Mermoud' s remarks to the Eurochambres Congress Opening Session in Vienna, Austria ("European Competiveness In A Global World") on "Strengthening Competitiveness Through a More Seamless Transatlantic Marketplace".
 Financial Flows Key to Developing Country Growth
The U.S. is the world's largest single contributor of official assistance to developing countries today. But even at $16.3 billion, our development assistance is dwarfed by the resources flowing into or generated by developing countries from other sources.
 Four G8 Compact Countries Announce their Plans to Combat Corruption
Under Secretary for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan P. Larson, Government Representatives from Georgia, Nicaragua, Nigeria and Peru, and Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs Anthony Wayne briefing at the Foreign Press Center about the topic of "Four G8 Compact Countries Announce their Plans to Combat Corruption" on October 5, 2004.
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