Trade, tariffs and industry

Executive Order 12991: Adding the Small Business Administration to the President's Export Council

President: Bill Clinton

Added the Small Business Administration’s leader to the President’s Export Council to strengthen small-business input on trade policy.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 12991 still in effect? Yes. Continuing amendment to the President’s Export Council framework, subject to later membership and continuation orders.

What does Executive Order 12991 do?

EO 12991 amended EO 12131 by adding the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to the President’s Export Council. The change gave the agency responsible for small firms a permanent seat in the executive-branch membership of the advisory council. It did not alter export law or grant the SBA independent negotiating authority. The parent council framework has been continued and adjusted by later orders.

Administration position: The order ensured a small-business voice in presidential export advice. Council recommendations remain advisory.
SignedMarch 6, 1996
Parent orderEO 12131
Added memberSBA Administrator

Before and after

Before the order

The President’s Export Council did not expressly include the SBA Administrator in its government membership.

After the order

Small-business policy could be represented directly in council deliberations.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
SBA AdministratorServe on the President’s Export CouncilUnder the amended framework
President’s Export CouncilInclude small-business perspectives in adviceWhile convened

What happened next

EO 12131 established the modern council framework.

EO 12991 added the SBA Administrator.

No express revocation of the amendment appeared in the disposition table.