Cultural Trade Promotion Act

This bill expands certain trade activities by the Department of Commerce and its related trade agencies to promote goods and services from microenterprises, creative industries and occupations (e.g., businesses focused on arts or culture), and Native Hawaiian businesses.

Specifically, the bill expands the activities that must be carried out by the U.S. Commercial Service to include the promotion of U.S. goods and services that are exported by microentrepreneurs.

Additionally, the bill expands the activities that must be carried out by Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to include in its annual strategic plan (1) recommendations to better assist microenterprises, and (2) a consideration of how to promote exports of goods and services from creative industries and occupations.

The bill authorizes Commerce to provide assistance to eligible entities (e.g., Native Hawaiian tribes and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses) for the development of foreign markets for authentic Native Hawaiian arts and crafts.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service.