The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) is an independent U.S. government export promotion and foreign assistance agency. TDA aims to support U.S. jobs by linking U.S. firms to export opportunities for development projects in developing and middle-income countries through funding “pre-export” assistance. TDA is authorized permanently under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), as amended (22 U.S.C. §2421), and operates under the Secretary of State’s policy guidance.
In 1992, Congress established TDA as an independent agency (P.L. 102-549), but its predecessor dates to the 1980s. The TDA Director is appointed by the President, by and with the Senate’s advice and consent. President Trump’s continued request for funding to eliminate TDA, as well as other legislative and policy developments, may intensify debate over the arguments for and against TDA, its role in supporting U.S. exports, and its relationship to other federal agencies.
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USTDA CRS