U.S. Chamber Presses USTR in 2026 Notorious Markets Review

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has formally urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to treat intellectual property enforcement as a cornerstone of American competitiveness in the 2026 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy.

In a letter dated October 5, 2026 and addressed to Daniel Lee, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Innovation and Intellectual Property, the Chamber submitted comments under Docket Number USTR-2026-0529. The annual review identifies markets around the world that facilitate counterfeiting and piracy.

The Chamber's argument rests on a simple premise: IP rights drive U.S. economic strength. "Strong, predictable, and enforceable intellectual property rights are essential to protecting Americans' inventions, creations, and products," the letter states.

The business group laid out three core functions it says IP rights perform:

• Serving as a foundation for American competitiveness
• Strengthening consumer trust
• Upholding the rule of law

Trademarks and brands occupy a critical place in that framework, according to the Chamber. The letter also emphasizes that intellectual property touches every U.S. industry, citing the U.S. Department of Commerce in the portion of the filing released publicly.

What does the Notorious Markets list actually do?

The USTR's annual Notorious Markets review names online and physical marketplaces the U.S. government considers significant hubs for counterfeit goods and pirated content. The designation carries no direct legal penalty, but it raises reputational and regulatory pressure on the platforms and countries involved, and it often precedes broader trade enforcement actions.

The Chamber's participation in the docket is consistent with its long-standing role as a leading industry voice in the review process, pressing for aggressive identification of offending marketplaces.

Why the Chamber's timing matters

By submitting comments ahead of the review, the Chamber positions the business lobby to shape which markets USTR names in its final 2026 list. For brand owners, inclusion of a platform in the report can sharpen leverage in takedown negotiations and inform litigation strategy.

The USTR has not yet published its final 2026 Notorious Markets list. The Chamber's filing signals that U.S. industry will push for a broad inventory of counterfeiting venues when the report lands.