1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |ITA/USTR Request for Comments on Trade Agreements and Government Procurement

ITA/USTR Request for Comments on Trade Agreements and Government Procurement

Client Alert | 1 min read | 08.21.17

Implementing the President’s direction in the Buy American Hire American Executive Order, the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration and the United States Trade Representative have issued a request for comments from industry on how U.S. government procurement obligations affect U.S. companies’ participation in the U.S. and foreign government procurement markets. This request presents a significant opportunity for companies to provide input on how such agreements have positively affected their global supply chains as well as the extent to which the public procurement markets of participating governments are important to U.S. industry and jobs. Unfortunately, the notices provide a very short 30-day period in which to respond (until 11:59 pm EDT on September 18, 2017), particularly given the end of summer timing.

Contacts

Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 12.11.25

Director Squires Revamps the Workings of the U.S. Patent Office

In March 2025, President Trump nominated John A. Squires for the positions of Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20-2, Squires was confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 2025, by a vote of 51-47 after anti-filibuster measures were invoked. During and after the confirmation process, Squires emphasized several goals for the USPTO during his time as Director. Such goals included:...