UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS AND ANALYSIS
VIRTUAL 2022 FALL INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
OTNA MISSION:
The Office of Trade Negotiations and Analysis (OTNA) serves as the International Trade Administration’s principal advisor on trade policy issues affecting multiple U.S. industries. In this capacity, OTNA develops high quality economic and trade policy analysis to help ensure the national economic interests of U.S. industry are fully represented in trade policy initiatives.
Senior decision-makers inside the Department as well as outside (e.g., USTR) rely on OTNA’s analysis to set priorities and develop negotiating strategies. Specifically, our analysis informs the Administration’s initiatives to 1) open foreign markets for U.S. exports in trade negotiations affecting more than one industry, 2) enforce/implement U.S. trade laws while ensuring that these laws continue to aid U.S. industry competitiveness, 3) advocate on behalf of U.S. industry, and 4) encourage public-private partnerships.
You MUST be a US citizen to apply for this internship.
This is a REMOTE internship, that can move to a HYBRID telework/in person internship due to the ongoing and evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s guidelines.
INTERN DUTIES:
Interns will be involved in many projects within the office, though we try to suit the projects towards individual interests. The following is a list of typical projects:
- Perform basic research and analyses on a wide range of trade and cross-sectoral policy issues affecting U.S. competitiveness.
- Assist senior staff in preparations for bilateral and multilateral negotiations by conducting research on the impact of particular tariff and non-tariff measure changes on U.S. industry.
- Conduct analyses in support of free trade agreement negotiations.
- Assist senior staff in preparing analyses and policy recommendations for Executive Branch actions under U.S. trade laws such as Section 301 (unfair trade practices), and Section 201 and 421 (Safeguards).
- Assist in the assessment of the impact on U.S. industry of duty-free imports under the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences.
- Conduct research and analyses, as needed to support ongoing WTO Accessions, regional trade agreements like USMCA, and plurilateral agreements like the WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement.
- Accompany senior staff to intra-agency and interagency planning sessions and briefings on trade policy issues as appropriate.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate should be a mature graduate student with excellent analytical and communication skills, the ability to work independently, and a demonstrated interest in international trade and/or economics. Undergraduate upperclassman with exceptional experience on trade-related issues may also apply.
The candidate must be familiar with Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, and possess advanced internet research skills. Knowledge of statistical software such as SAS, STATA or SPSS is a plus.
Interns must be currently enrolled in university classes. Ideal candidates are able to commit 20-25 hours a week, for 12-14 weeks. These positions are unpaid.
Intern must be comfortable working remotely and have access to computer and internet access.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. If you wish to apply for an internship position, please electronically send a cover letter and a copy of your resume (U.S. citizenship must be noted on the resume for consideration) by August 15, 2022 to Brett.McGee@trade.gov and Nabil.Abbyad@trade.gov.