The United States International Trade Commission is an independent, quasijudicial Federal agency with broad investigative responsibilities on matters of trade. The agency investigates the effects of dumped and subsidized imports on domestic industries and conducts global safeguard investigations. The Commission also adjudicates cases involving alleged infringement by imports of intellectual property rights. Through such proceedings, the agency facilitates a rules-based international trading system. The Commission also serves as a Federal resource where trade data and other trade policy-related information are gathered and analyzed. The information and analysis are provided to the President, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and Congress to facilitate the development of sound and informed U.S. trade policy. The Commission makes most of its information and analysis available to the public to promote understanding of international trade issues.

The mission of the Commission is to (1) administer U.S. trade remedy laws within its mandate in a fair and objective manner; (2) provide the President, USTR, and Congress with independent analysis, information, and support on matters of tariffs, international trade, and U.S. competitiveness; and (3) maintain the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS).

The Commission has five major operations that serve its external customers:

• Import Injury Investigations,
  
  
• Intellectual Property-Based Import Investigations,
  
  
• Industry and Economic Analysis,
  
  
• Tariff and Trade Information Services,
  
  
• Trade Policy Support

The ITC's five major operations are detailed in the agency's Strategic Plan [PDF], FY 2007 Performance and Accountablity Report [PDF], FY 2007-2009 Staffing Plan [PDF], and 2009 Budget Justification [PDF], HSPD-12 Compliance [PDF]