United States Tariff Commission

The United States Tariff Commission was established in 1916 as an independent federal agency focused on tariffs, trade, and related economic questions. Its job was to gather data, investigate trade issues, and provide analysis to the legislative and executive branches.

Over time, its role grew beyond basic tariff study. The commission became an important source of reports, investigations, and technical expertise on imports and trade policy, laying groundwork for many of the functions now associated with federal trade administration.

In 1975, following the Trade Act of 1974, it was redesignated as the United States International Trade Commission. Today’s USITC still describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial agency that provides trade analysis, maintains tariff information, and handles certain trade-related investigations.