S. 1125 — Cultural Trade Promotion Act

This section defines, for purposes of the Act, (1) "creative industry or occupation" as an industry or occupation with substantial current or potential economic impact (including through positions leading to economic self-sufficiency and advancement) originating in individual creativity, skill, and talent (e.g., design, crafts, music, visual and media arts, performing arts, language, literature, or expressions of Native cultures or regional or local heritage culture); and (2) "Native American," with respect to culture, as the culture of a Native American as defined in section 103 of the Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902) (i.e., an Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander).

This section amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to expand export promotion priorities as follows: (1) directs the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (i.e., a Department of Commerce unit that promotes U.S. exports abroad through market intelligence, business matchmaking, and advocacy) to place primary emphasis on microentrepreneurs (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 6901, generally owners of very small enterprises with low revenues), in addition to small businesses and medium-sized businesses (15 U.S.C. 4721(b)); (2) requires the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee strategic plan to address assisting microenterprises and to consider promoting exports from creative industries and occupations (as defined in the Cultural Trade Promotion Act) (15 U.S.C. 4727(c)); and (3) extends the arts and crafts export promotion program to Native Hawaiian arts and crafts and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, and broadens eligibility in that program from "hand made or hand crafted" items to "made" items (15 U.S.C. 4726).

This section directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS), and the Postmaster General to consult and collaborate on connecting microenterprises (i.e., as defined in section 172 of the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. 6901)) and small businesses to fast, reliable international shipping services that meet modern consumer expectations. (As background, USFCS promotes U.S. exports, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses, through market research, leads, and counseling.)

This section expands the special emphasis sectors of the Trade and Development Agency (TDA) to include creative industries and occupations (as defined in section 2 of the Cultural Trade Promotion Act), in addition to energy, transportation, telecommunications, and environment. (As background, the TDA promotes U.S. private sector participation in development projects in developing and middle-income countries by funding feasibility studies, architectural and engineering design, and related activities.)

This section requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a representative of creative industries and occupations as a permanent member of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.