The US Department of Commerce (DOC) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government, functioning as a cabinet-level institution responsible for promoting economic growth and opportunity. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903, to support economic expansion and represent the interests of businesses. The department was subsequently renamed the Department of Commerce on March 4, 1913, when the bureaus specializing in labor were transferred to the new Department of Labor.
The DOC works to drive U.S. economic competitiveness, strengthen domestic industry, and spur job growth through its 13 bureaus. Its mechanism involves a broad range of activities, including expanding U.S. exports through the International Trade Administration (ITA), regulating the export of sensitive technologies via the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and gathering vital economic statistics through the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The department also grants patents and registers trademarks through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and manages weather forecasting and climate monitoring through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The DOC connects to other key institutions like the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which handles trade policy, and the Department of Energy (DOE), with which it has partnered on initiatives like ensuring affordable energy for AI development. A significant recent change is the DOC's increased focus on emerging technologies, as it has led U.S. government activities related to safe artificial intelligence development since 2023. The department's core mission of promoting international trade and technological advancement has remained constant since its founding.