About the President's Export Council
The President's Export Council (PEC) is the principal national advisory committee on international trade. The Council advises the President of government policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance; promotes export expansion; and provides a forum for discussing and resolving trade-related problems among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor, and government sectors.
The Council was established by Executive Order of the President in 1973, but was originally composed only of business executives. In 1979, the Council was reconstituted by Executive Order 12131 to include leaders of the labor and agriculture communities, Congress, and the Executive Branch.
The twenty-eight private-sector members of the Council are appointed by the President. They serve "at the pleasure of the President," with no set term of office. Five United States Senators and five members of the House of Representatives are appointed to the Council by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, respectively. The Secretaries of Commerce, Agriculture, Energy, Homeland Security, Labor, State, and Treasury; the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; the U.S. Trade Representative; and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration are also members of the Council.
The Council maintains an Executive Committee and subcommittees according to the Council's interests. Membership of these subordinate committees is drawn from the Council's roster. The Council also maintains the separately-chartered Subcommittee on Export Administration (PECSEA), created in 1976, which reviews export control issues. The President's Export Council meets at least twice each year, usually in Washington, DC. The Council's subcommittees may also hold meetings. President's Export Council members do not receive compensation for their service on the Council.
The Council reports to the President through the Secretary of Commerce. The Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade serves as the Council's Executive Director. The Advisory Committees and Private Sector Programs Division of the Office of Export Promotion and Coordination serves as the Executive Secretariat for Council activities.
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