The Advocacy Center is a division of the United States Government that is dedicated to helping U.S. exporters level the playing field when it comes to dealing with foreign governments. 

Strategies Used

The Advocacy Center primarily uses three strategies when dealing with situations where advocacy is needed. These include:

1. U.S. embassy and consulate assistance and/or Sub-Cabinet and Cabinet meetings, all of which are held through different medias, such as face-to-face, by phone, or through letters
2. Working hand-in-hand with companies to clear up lines of communication between the company and foreign government the company is dealing with
3. Helping U.S. companies with crediting issues. This is done through established relationships with Ex-Im Bank, the Trade and Development Agency and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Reasons for Advocacy

There are three main reasons why we advocate. These include:

1. Advocacy helps promote U.S. exports, support U.S. employment, and increase U.S. business
2. Advocacy counters foreign government influence, thereby helping to level the playing field
3. Advocacy encourages fair treatment of U.S. companies and helps cut down on bribery

Exceptions without Advocacy

There are a few stipulations as to when the Advocacy Center can become involved. These include:

1. The Advocacy Center cannot be involved with any military projects or tenders, according to Congressional mandate
2. The Advocacy Center is almost exclusively to be used for deals involving foreign governments and U.S. companies
3. The Advocacy Center is meant to focus on specific trade interactions, not on trade policy

 

If you would like more information about The Advocacy Center, please log on to www.export.gov/advocacy.