NOTE: This is in response to Secretary John Bryson's guest post on the possible reorganization of federal government business and trade-related functions.

President Obama today requested that Congress give him authority to reorganize and combine six government agencies that focus on different aspects of international trade. The Chamber has long supported the goal of a more streamlined federal government, and more than a year ago, the Chamber shared its views on these issues with administration officials in a series of meetings that included a variety of association leaders.

As we indicated at the time, combining some of the government’s trade functions makes sense, and it is a rational place for the Administration to start reorganization efforts.

However, we also shared our concerns about some of these proposed measures.  In particular, we emphasized that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has a unique and distinctive role negotiating and enforcing U.S. trade agreements. The business community would oppose its merger with the Commerce Department, whose functions are quite different. Further, as the nation’s chief trade negotiator and trade enforcer, the U.S. Trade Representative must remain a member of the president’s cabinet to underscore his stature in talks with other countries’ trade ministers.

On the other hand, there is some overlap in the work done by the Ex-Im Bank, OPIC, TDA, SBA and the Commercial Service. We understand the administration last summer concluded a months-long examination of a possible merger of some agencies or functions. We would welcome a chance to learn about what possible synergies have been identified that could be tapped in a possible reorganization, and to support meaningful efforts to improve the efficiency of U.S. government trade efforts.