Establishing American Trading Companies

On September 3, 1980, the United States Senate, by unanimous vote, passed landmark legislation designed to increase American ex- ports of products and services by encouraging formation of U.S. export trading companies.\u27 The Export Trading Company Act of 1980,2 rein- troduced and at this writing awaiting approval by a new Congress,3 is a significant first step in offering American companies, particularly those of small and medium size, the opportunity to enter markets on a par with their international foreign competitors. The Act moderates re- strictions that have blocked the growth of full-range export trade ser- vice companies that would help average-sized firms enter international markets