The U.S. Commercial Service, an agency within the Department of Commerce, promotes exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small and medium-sized business. The service also acts to protect U.S. business interests abroad. Founded in 1980, the Commercial Service has over 100 offices in the United States and 160 international offices in 82 countries.
The Commercial Service evolved out of the Bureau of Foreign Commerce, established as part of the Department of State in 1897. Over the years, the function of trade promotion has been housed in the departments of state, labor, and commerce. Before the creation of the Commercial Service, foreign attachés working for the Department of State operated out of U.S. embassies around the world.
With a goal of promoting U.S. exports, the Commercial Service provides information about overseas markets, facilitates contacts with foreign buyers, and provides trade promotion support. Small companies rarely have the resources to investigate and pursue international business deals. The Commercial Service maintains a list of trade opportunities, conducts international partner searches, and publishes an international marketing magazine promoting U.S. products and services. For a fee the service will provide a customized market analysis. The Commercial Service also assists U.S. businesses with trade delegations, catalog and video shows, and trade shows.