[House Document 108-198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-198


 
   NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES TO EXISTING LAWS TO COMPLY WITH THE U.S.-
                     AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

                               __________


                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

    A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHANGES TO EXISTING LAWS, PREPARED BY THE 
ADMINISTRATION, THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING THE UNITED STATES INTO 
 COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED STATES-AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, AS 
   SIGNED BY THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE ON BEHALF OF THE 
   UNITED STATES ON MAY 18, 2004, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 107-210, SEC. 
                             2105(a)(1)(B)




July 6, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and ordered 
                             to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, July 2, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On May 18, 2004, the United States Trade 
Representative signed the United States-Australia Free Trade 
Agreement on behalf of the United States. Consistent with 
section 2105(a)(1)(B) of the Trade Act of 2002, I am submitting 
a description of the changes to existing laws, prepared by my 
Administration, that would be required to bring the United 
States into compliance with that agreement.
    I look forward to working with the Congress in developing 
legislation to implement this free trade agreement with an 
important economic partner and close ally.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.
   Changes to Existing Law Required To Bring the United States Into 
  Compliance With Obligations Under The United States-Australia Free 
                            Trade Agreement

    The United States must amend section 13031(b) of the 
Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (19 U.S.C. 
Sec. 58c(b)). The amendment will exempt imports qualifying as 
``originating goods'' under the United States-Australia Free 
Trade Agreement (``the Agreement'') from certain customs user 
fees, as required by Article 2.12 of the Agreement.
    The United States must amend section 592(c) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. Sec. 1592(c)). The amendment will exempt 
an importer from penalties for an improper claim that a good 
qualifies as an originating good under the Agreement, provided 
that the importer voluntarily corrects the improper claim 
within one year of making it. This amendment is necessary to 
comply with Article 5.13.4 of the Agreement.
    The United States must amend section 308 of the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2518). The amendment will 
permit the President to designate products from Australia as 
eligible for purposes of waiving discriminatory purchasing 
requirements under our government procurement law. This 
amendment is necessary to implement Chapter Fifteen (Government 
Procurement) of the Agreement.

                                  
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