21. Department Of Commerce (Summary)

Author: Thomas F. Gilman

Summary

• The Department of Commerce aims to promote economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness but has been plagued by regulatory capture, ideological drift, and a lack of focus.
• The department’s role is critical for reversing economic decline and countering threats from countries like China.
• The chapter suggests that many programs within the Department of Commerce overlap with other governmental programs, and consolidation or elimination of these programs could improve efficiency.
• Key recommendations include:
  • Streamlining the International Trade Administration (ITA) and parts of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) into the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
  • Consolidating the Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau with the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics into a single statistical agency.
  • Reforming the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) into a performance-based organization or consolidating it with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
  • Dismantling the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and reallocating its functions to other agencies, privatization, or state control.
  • Strengthening the Office of the Secretary to better execute presidential priorities and modernize departmental processes.
  • Enhancing political leadership and oversight within the International Trade Administration to ensure enforcement of trade agreements and protection of U.S. industries.
  • Reforming the Bureau of Industry and Security to better prevent technology transfer to adversaries and encourage U.S. companies to diversify supply chains away from China.
  • Breaking up NOAA, focusing the National Weather Service (NWS) on data-gathering services, and potentially commercializing its forecasting operations.
  • Restructuring the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Office of the Undersecretary for Economic Affairs to focus on supporting economic growth through data-driven decision-making.
  • Reviewing and potentially downsizing or eliminating various Census Bureau programs to increase efficiency and align with conservative principles.

Analysis

Positive Ramifications:

• Consolidation of overlapping functions could reduce government spending and improve accountability.
• Stronger political leadership could ensure that departmental activities align with presidential priorities.
• Streamlining the Department of Commerce could make it more effective in promoting economic growth and innovation.

Negative Ramifications:

• Drastic reforms could face resistance from career staff and other government agencies, leading to potential delays or disruptions in service.
• Eliminating or privatizing key functions, such as those of NOAA, might reduce the government’s ability to provide essential public services.
• Increased political influence in trade and enforcement activities could lead to biased decision-making and potential conflicts with international partners.

Tags

• Department of Commerce Reform
• Government Efficiency
• Trade Policy
• NOAA Dismantling
• Patent and Trademark Reform

Read the original chapter text here: https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf#page=696

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