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12 Law & Pol'y Int'l Bus. 611 (1980)
Restructuring Executive Branch Trade Responsibilities: A Half-Step Forward

handle is hein.journals/geojintl12 and id is 621 raw text is: RESTRUCTURING EXECUTIVE
BRANCH TRADE
RESPONSIBILITIES: A HALF-STEP
FORWARD
N. DAVID PALMETER*
THOMAS LEONARD KosSL**
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979 represents the Carter Administra-
tion's response to public and private sector dissatisfaction with U.S. trade
policy and administration. This structural realignment of U.S. trade
functions was designed to enhance the competitive posture of U.S. industry
in international markets by providing consistency and leadership in U.S.
trade functions. The Plan establishes an enhanced mechanism of inter-
agency coordination and a reshuffling ofjurisdiction over trade matters that
places responsibility for policy formation in the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative and for operational control in the Department of Com-
merce. This article outlines the Plan's transfer of international trade
functions and examines its probable. impact upon rational policymaking
and the competitiveness of U.S. industry abroad. The authors maintain
that these objectives are disserved by the division between policy formula-
tion functions and operational control over policy implementation. To
achieve the goals of consistency and coherence in U.S. trade policy, the
authors suggest that the USTR must be given an effective means of
forging policy and controlling its implementation.
INTRODUCTION
When dissatisfaction is manifest, governing bodies have a strong
tendency to create the illusion of action by pursuing a myriad of
activities-such as appointing committees, authorizing studies,
scheduling hearings and reorganizing. Although usually undertak-
en with good intentions, these efforts generally are meaningless.
Occasionally, something positive is achieved.
The new regime for U.S. international trade, Reorganization
* Daniels, Houlihan & Palmeter, P.C., Washington, D.C.; A.B., Syracuse University; J.D.,
University of Chicago.
** Daniels, Houlihan & Palmeter, P.C., Washington, D.C.; A.B., University of Chicago;
J.D. & M.S.F.S., Georgetown University.

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