The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for the International Trade Administration illustrates what appears to be a general interest across the Trump administration in prioritizing trade enforcement over promotion. For the trade community, this budget could mean:
- stronger enforcement of trade laws and greater scrutiny of imports, especially from countries with a history of unfair practices;
- reduced federal support for traditional export promotion services, particularly for small and mid-sized exporters; and
- an increased emphasis on national security, critical supply chains, and foreign investment as tools of economic statecraft.
The ITA is requesting a total of $440 million for FY 2026, down from $611 million enacted for FY 2024.
The agency’s Enforcement and Compliance is seeking $130.7 million, up $6 million. This increase would support the expansion of staff from 372 to 428 positions, enabling the agency to manage a record-high caseload of 736 active antidumping and countervailing duty orders and 115 investigations initiated to date in FY 2025. E&C is also responsible for monitoring foreign trade remedy actions, administering the foreign-trade zones program, and overseeing the steel and aluminum import monitoring systems.
The Industry and Analysis unit, despite playing a key role in supporting Section 232, 301, and 201 trade actions, would see a $2 million reduction in its budget to $84.4 million. I&A’s 269 personnel would continue to provide trade policy analysis, sector-specific export support, and supply chain resilience assessments. No significant reduction in the unit’s mission is anticipated.
In contrast, the Global Markets unit faces a $194.2 million budget reduction to $178.3 million and a staffing cut from 1,323 to 814. These changes would reflect an effort to shift GM’s focus toward national security-aligned trade diplomacy and targeted support for critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
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