The International Trade Administration, or ITA for short, is an organization within the United States Department of Commerce. The overall purpose of the International Trade Administration is support and promote the exporting of goods and merchandise that is not considered to be agricultural. The ITA will also help promote American businesses and companies to reach international markets and have such access for international trade. Furthermore, it also provides for protection to American companies from unfair competition that may arise.
The International Trade Administration was created on January 2nd, 1980 and has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The organization is headed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, currently being Francisco “Frank” Sanchez.
One of the key sub divisions of the International Trade Administration is the United States Commercial Service, which implements several programs and agreements for private organizations. Among these are various banks, legal organizations, shipping and transportation organizations, and trade risk service companies.