Trade (Domestic & Foreign)
Issue Code: TRD
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AI Overview
Trade (Domestic & Foreign) is one of the 79 issue categories tracked under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. With $1.4B in total lobbying spend across 49.6K filings, it ranks among the most heavily lobbied policy areas in Washington. The money flowing into this issue reflects how much is at stake for the industries involved.
$1.4B
Total Lobbying Spend
49.6K
Filings
50
Top Clients
Spending by Year
| Year | Spending | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $145.1M | 5,786 |
| 2019 | $171.3M | 6,576 |
| 2020 | $156.1M | 6,134 |
| 2021 | $154.3M | 5,447 |
| 2022 | $165.4M | 5,947 |
| 2023 | $174.3M | 6,120 |
| 2024 | $158.3M | 5,346 |
| 2025 | $267.5M | 8,210 |
Biggest Spenders
| # | Client | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qualcomm Incorporated | $41.4M |
| 2 | Nord Stream 2 AG | $15.7M |
| 3 | Industrial Energy Consumers of America | $10.7M |
| 4 | Fedex Corporation | $8.5M |
| 5 | Walmart INC | $8.2M |
| 6 | Alibaba Group Holding Limited | $7.6M |
| 7 | Nippon Steel Corporation | $7.0M |
| 8 | PHRMA | $6.9M |
| 9 | American Israel Public Affairs Committee | $6.8M |
| 10 | Hanwha Q Cells America INC. | $6.8M |
| 11 | Mars Incorporated | $6.4M |
| 12 | Association of Equipment Manufacturers | $6.2M |
| 13 | Smithfield Foods, INC. | $5.8M |
| 14 | Samsung Electronics America, INC. | $5.2M |
| 15 | Wacker Polysilicon North America LLC | $4.6M |
| 16 | Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America | $4.6M |
| 17 | Technology CEO Council | $4.3M |
| 18 | Sk Hynix America, INC. | $4.3M |
| 19 | Apple INC. | $4.3M |
| 20 | Pepsico, INC. | $4.2M |
| 21 | Ford Motor Company | $4.2M |
| 22 | Business Roundtable | $4.1M |
| 23 | Toyota Motor North America, INC. | $4.1M |
| 24 | Nissan North America | $4.1M |
| 25 | Microsoft Corporation | $4.0M |
Top Firms
Covington & Burling LLP$49.4M
Mehlman Consulting, INC.$41.5M
Tiber Creek Group$31.4M
Invariant LLC$31.0M
Squire Patton Boggs$26.5M
Forbes-tate$24.3M
Monument Advocacy$22.8M
BGR Government Affairs$20.7M
Ballard Partners$19.8M
Capitol Counsel LLC$18.7M
What They Lobby For
- Promote U.S.-Guatemalan economic relationship
- FAA reauthorization; US trade agreements with foreign commercial airlines operating in the US; tax issues; transportation appropriations.
- Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission investigation into uncoated groundwood paper.
- (a)Reform and extension of Business Energy Investment Tax Credit, (b)Preservation of the Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System, (c)U.S. trade policy related to import or export of solar equipment
- Enhancing the diplomatic, political security and commercial trade and investment relationships with the country
- The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, business tax provisions, regulatory issues related to financial services technology,technology innovation for the financial services industry, cybersecurity regulations fo
- Issues relating to military housing Trade Appropriations
- Liquefied natural gas and liquefied natural gas exports
- Final GIPSA Rule: Implementation of regulations required under Title XI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; Animal Drug Use and Availability; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compe
- Issues related to Brexit, NAFTA, taxes, foreign investment, privacy, data, energy and climate digital technology, cyber issues, financial services, trade, IP, skilled work force and HB1 visas.
Data Sources: Senate LDA Filings
Last updated: February 2026
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