Obama Said to Direct Overhaul of U.S. Trade Agencies

President Barack Obama will direct his administration as soon as tomorrow to develop a plan to reshape the federal government that may include folding the U.S. Trade Representative’s office into the Commerce Department, abolishing some agencies and reducing the workforce, people familiar with the process said.

A draft memorandum to department and agency heads, dated March 4, would authorize Jeffrey Zients, the chief performance officer, to undertake a review on “restructuring and streamlining” the executive branch, within 90 days of the president sending a final version of the document. Obama may issue the memo as soon as tomorrow, giving Zients until early June to complete his study, according to one of the people.