Trade Agreements Secretariat

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The Trade Agreements Secretariat (TAS) works closely with counterparts in 20 U.S. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) partner countries to ensure that the United States and its exporters are treated fairly and in accordance with agreed upon FTA commitments.

In instances where other countries may not be abiding by their FTA obligations, TAS performs a valuable compliance function to complement FTA enforcement actions and level the playing field for U.S. companies. Current activities include:

  • 21 NAFTA and USMCA disputes
  • Involves 27 U.S. companies and 4 Trade Associations
  • Impacts over 908 Thousand U.S. workers
  • Impact more than $11.1 billion in subject merchandise

Our Team

 
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Vidya Desai
Secretary
 
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Grace Hickey
International Trade Specialist
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Sarah Mandell
Management and Program Analyst
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Daniel Shin
Program Support Specialist
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Contact information
202-482-5438     
Email Our Team

TAS Electronic Filing (e-filing) System

The TAS electronic filing system is a new secure online system for administering disputes under Chapters 10 and 31 of USMCA.

Key Features of the E-filing System

  • Document Filing, Docketing, and Storage: Interested parties are able to file dispute documents electronically through the online system. The TAS e-filing system also logically organizes filings for easy access and serves as a central repository for all documents related to a dispute.
  • Account Creation: All users participating in and providing materials for proceedings are able to create secure accounts and file documents electronically. In addition, members of the public can create an account to view and download public documents associated with USMCA disputes.
  • Online Public Reading Room: All users within the TAS e-filing system, including the public, will be able to view public versions of dispute filings, timelines and service lists.
 
 

Recent FTA Dispute Settlement News and Announcements

A Request for Panel Review was filed in the matter of Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Final Results of the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2022 on September 18, 2024. This initiated the Softwood Lumber CVD AR5 Dispute (Secretariat Dispute number USA-CDA-2024-10.12-03), which can be found in the TAS E-Filing System. 

A Request for Panel Review was filed in the matter of Certain Softwood Lumber Products from Canada: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, Partial Rescission of Administrative Review, and Final Determination of No Shipments; 2022 on September 18, 2024. This initiated the Softwood Lumber AD AR5 Dispute (Secretariat Dispute number USA-CDA-2024-10.12-04), which can be found in the TAS E-Filing System. 

 

Additional Resources

Trilateral Secretariat
 
Visit for USMCA and NAFTA Dispute Forms, Rules of Procedure, Panel Decisions, and more.
The United States Trade Representative
 
Find a list of Free Trade Agreements and the text of agreements.
Industry & Analysis
 
Browse a list and learn about all the Industry and Analysis offices.

 

FTA Partners

 

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Australia     

  

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Bahrain     

  

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Canada     
(included in USMCA)     

  

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Chile     

  

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Columbia     

  

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Costa Rica     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     

  

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Dominican Republic     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     

 

 

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El Salvador     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     

  

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Guatemala     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     
      
  

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Honduras     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     

  

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Israel     

  

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Jordan     

  

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Mexico     
(included in USMCA)     

 

 

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Morocco     

  

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Nicaragua     
(Included in CAFTA-DR)     

  

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Oman     
      
  

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Panama     

  

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Peru     

  

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Singapore     

  

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South Korea