Chamber of Commerce, United States, is a federation of businesses, trade and professional associations, and state and local chambers of commerce. It has about 300,000 members. The chamber’s primary purpose is to promote the value of free enterprise in the United States and abroad. It sets policy based on the views of its members. A board of directors administers the chamber.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce lobbies for legislation and policies that are favorable to business at all levels of government. Traditionally, the chamber has supported free trade, reduced government spending, minimal regulations on business, and low taxes as a way to achieve economic growth. During World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), however, the chamber supported increased cooperation between government and business. After the wars, it continued to lobby for a return to lower taxes, fair competition, and reduced government spending.
The chamber was organized in 1912 at a conference called by President William Howard Taft in Washington, D.C. At that time, there were already many local chambers to satisfy local business needs. Today, the chamber has affiliated U.S. chambers of commerce in dozens of other countries. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
