West Virginia Manufacturers Association

There are a variety of government agencies and services available to assist West Virginia manufacturers and employees with trade-related issues. Below are links to resources covering the following topics:

(1) Trade Laws and Remedies - (Import and Export): these links provide access to information about available remedies against foreign import competition, as well as export opportunities and export assistance.

(2) Intellectual Property Issues - links include access to information regarding intellectual property rights and protection at home and abroad, how to apply for a U.S. patent or trademark, and how to register a U.S. copyright.

(3) Trade Relations - these links provide access to up-to-date information about trade relations with major global trading partners, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, and reports and publications covering a variety of trade-related matters.

(4) Trade Adjustment Assistance - these links provide information for both firms and workers about how to apply for trade adjustment assistance in the event that jobs are lost due to increased imports or a shift in production to a non-U.S. country.

TRADE LAWS/REMEDIES – IMPORT and EXPORT: Links 

• Department of Commerce: Main Page
• Department of Commerce: Export.gov (helping U.S. companies export)
• Department of Commerce: Main Page of Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petition Counseling and Analysis Unit (links to overview of trade remedies and how to initiate a case against import competition)
• International Trade Commission (ITC): Main page for U.S. Trade Remedies
• United States Trade Representative (USTR): Main Page

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUES: Links  

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office : http://www.uspto.gov/
• StopFakes: provides U.S. businesses with resources and help regarding intellectual property protection.
• U.S. - China Economic and Security Review Commission: 2006 Annual Report
• USTR: Reports and Publications (links to reports and publications by USTR 2001-2006)

TRADE RELATIONS: Links  

• United States Trade Representative (USTR): Main Page
• USTR: Press Release on U.S. and Russia signing a bilateral agreement (page includes links to documents on the agreement)
• USTR: Russia and NIS (Includes links to press releases and fact sheets from Russia's accession, as well as other recent news on Russia and NIS)
• USTR: Vietnam Accession into the WTO (includes links to USTR press releases and fact sheets)
• USTR: Main Page for 2006 National Trade Estimate Report
• USTR: Main Page for 2006 Special 301
• USTR: Reports and Publications (links to reports and publications by USTR 2001-2006)
• U.S. - China Economic and Security Review Commission: 2006 Annual Report

TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE: Links

• Department of Labor: (Main TAA page with links to additional programs)
• Department of Labor: Employment and Training Administration Fact Sheet
• Department of Commerce: (Main TAA page)
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (main link to Federal Program sponsored by the DOC)
• White House: (Main page on TAA)