[House Document 108-89]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

108th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-89


 
 NOTIFICATION OF THE REQUIRED CHANGES TO THE UNITED STATES-SINGAPORE 
                         FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES TO EXISTING LAW REQUIRED TO BRING THE UNITED 
    STATES INTO COMPLIANCE WITH OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES-
   SINGAPORE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 107-210, SEC. 
                             2105(a)(1)(B)




July 7, 2003.--Referred jointly to the Committees on Ways and Means and 
                the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                          Washington, July 3, 2003.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On May 6, 2003, I signed the United 
States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Consistent with section 
2105(a)(1)(B) of the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-210), 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 important Free Trade Agreement.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.
   Changes to Existing Law Required To Bring the United States Into 
  Compliance With Obligations Under the United States-Singapore 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-Singapore Free 
Trade Agreement (``the Agreement'') from certain customs user 
fees, as required by Article 2.8 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 3.14.4(b) of the Agreement.
    The United States must amend sections 101(a)(15) and 214(g) 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
Sec. Sec. 1101(a)(15) & 1184(g)). The amendments will permit 
Singaporean nationals qualifying as ``professionals'' under the 
Agreement to enter the United States temporarily, as required 
by Section IV of Annex 11A of the Agreement.

                                
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