[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55299-55302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26875]



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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Generalized System of Preferences; Expedited Review of Products 
That Are Eligible for a ``De Minimis'' Waiver Based on 1994 Import 
Statistics

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and opportunity for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice invites public comments on whether any ``de 
minimis'' waivers should be granted to eligible articles from 
beneficiary countries that exceed the 50-percent competitive need limit 
in 1994, but which are eligible for ``de minimis'' waivers because 
total U.S. imports of the products in 1994 did not exceed the ``de 
minimis'' limit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
GSP Subcommittee, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 
17th Street, N.W., Room 518, Washington, D.C. 20508. The telephone 
number is (202) 395-6971.

[[Page 55300]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. The GSP Program

    The GSP program grants duty-free treatment to designated eligible 
articles that are imported from designated beneficiary developing 
countries. The GSP program is authorized by Title V of the Trade Act of 
1974, as amended (``Trade Act'') (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.), and was 
implemented by Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, and modified 
by subsequent Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. The GSP 
regulations provide for an annual GSP review, unless otherwise 
specified by Federal Register notice (15 CFR 2007.3).
    The GSP program expired on July 31, 1995 (see section 505(a) of the 
Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2465(a)). A bill to renew the program is pending 
in Congress. This notice solicits public comments on whether to grant 
any so-called ``de minimis'' waivers, but the Administration cannot 
take any action unless and until the GSP program is reauthorized.

II. Competitive Need Limits

    Section 504(c) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2464(c)) provides, in 
part, that any country, which has exported to the United States a 
quantity of an eligible article equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the 
appraised value of the total U.S. imports of the article during the 
most recent calendar year, shall lose GSP privileges for that article 
not later than July 1 of the next calendar year.

III. ``De Minimis'' Waivers

    Section 504(d)(2) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2464(d)(2)) provides, 
however, that the President may disregard the 50-percent limit with 
respect to any eligible article if the value of the total U.S. imports 
of the article during the most recent calendar year did not exceed $5 
million, indexed to the nominal growth of U.S. GNP since 1979. The ``de 
minimis'' limit for 1994 is $13,346,358.
    The countries/products in the annex to this notice exceeded the 50-
percent limit in 1994, but total U.S. imports were less than the ``de 
minimis'' limit. In accordance with section 504(c) of the Trade Act, 
all such countries/products lost GSP on July 1, 1995 because the 
Administration did not conduct an annual GSP review for 1994 and the 
President did not grant any ``de minimis'' waivers (see 60 FR 28184).
    The Administration has now decided to solicit public comments and 
to consider ``de minimis'' waivers on the merits. This notice invites 
public comments on whether ``de minimis'' waivers should be granted to 
the eligible articles from the beneficiary countries that are set forth 
in the annex to this notice. The Administration will not take any 
action unless and until the GSP program is reauthorized by the 
Congress.

IV. Public Comments

    All written comments on whether ``de minimis'' waivers should be 
granted to the countries/products that are set forth in the annex to 
this notice should be addressed to: GSP Subcommittee, Office of the 
U.S. Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, N.W., Room 518, Washington, 
D.C. 20508. All submissions must be in English and should conform to 
the information requirements of 15 CFR 2007. Furthermore, each party 
providing comments should indicate on the first page of the submission 
its name, the relevant subheading of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States and the relevant beneficiary country.
    A party must provide fourteen copies of its statement which must be 
received by the Chairman of the GSP Subcommittee no later than 5 p.m., 
Wednesday, November 22. Comments received after the deadline will not 
be accepted. If the comments contain business confidential information, 
fourteen copies of a non-confidential version must also be submitted. A 
justification as to why the information contained in the submission 
should be treated confidentially must be included in the submission. In 
addition, the submissions containing confidential information should be 
clearly marked ``confidential'' at the top and bottom of each page of 
the submission. The version that does not contain confidential 
information should also be clearly marked, at the top and bottom of 
each page, ``public version'' or ``non-confidential''.
    Written comments submitted in connection with these decisions, 
except for information granted ``business confidential'' status 
pursuant to 15 CFR 2007.7, will be available for public inspection 
shortly after the filing deadline by appointment only with the staff of 
the USTR Public Reading Room. Other requests and questions should be 
directed to the GSP Information Center at USTR by calling (202) 395-
6971.
Frederick L. Montgomery,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.

 ANNEX.--GSP Countries Exceeding the 50-Percent Competitive Need Limit in 1994 and Total U.S. Imports Were Less 
                                                Than $13,346.358                                                
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            HTSUS                               Partner                                 Description             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0304.20.50...................  Argentina................................  Hake fillets.                         
0703.10.20...................  Chile....................................  Onion sets.                           
0708.10.20...................  Guatemala................................  Peas.                                 
0708.10.40...................  Guatemala................................  Peas.                                 
0709.10.00...................  Chile....................................  Artichokes.                           
0709.20.10...................  Peru.....................................  Asparagus.                            
0710.22.15...................  Guatemala................................  Lima beans.                           
0710.29.05...................  Turkey...................................  Chickpeas.                            
0710.29.30...................  Dominican Republic.......................  Pigeon peas.                          
0710.80.50...................  Dominican Republic.......................  Tomatoes.                             
0710.80.65...................  Guatemala................................  Brussels sprouts.                     
0710.80.93...................  Guatemala................................  Okra.                                 
0711.30.00...................  Turkey...................................  Capers.                               
0711.40.00...................  Sri Lanka (Ceylon).......................  Cucumbers.                            
0714.10.00...................  Costa Rica...............................  Cassava.                              
0714.20.00...................  Dominican Republic.......................  Sweet potatoes.                       
0714.90.10...................  Costa Rica...............................  Fresh dasheens.                       
0802.50.20...................  Turkey...................................  Pistachios.                           
0802.50.40...................  Turkey...................................  Pistachios.                           
0804.50.80...................  Thailand.................................  Guavas, mangoes.                      
0811.20.20...................  Chile....................................  Raspberries.                          

[[Page 55301]]
                                                                                                                
0811.20.40...................  Chile....................................  Blackberries.                         
0811.90.50...................  Costa Rica...............................  Pineapples.                           
0811.90.55...................  Guatemala................................  Melons.                               
0813.30.00...................  Argentina................................  Apples.                               
0813.40.10...................  Thailand.................................  Papayas.                              
0813.40.80...................  Thailand.................................  Tamarinds.                            
1106.30.20...................  Ecuador..................................  Banana flour.                         
1301.90.40...................  Brazil...................................  Turpentine gum.                       
1519.11.00...................  Malaysia.................................  Stearic acid.                         
1519.12.00...................  Malaysia.................................  Oleic acid.                           
1601.00.40...................  Brazil...................................  Sausages.                             
1604.14.50...................  Thailand.................................  Tunas, skipjack.                      
1604.16.30...................  Morocco..................................  Anchovies.                            
1604.30.20...................  Russia...................................  Caviar.                               
1605.10.05...................  Thailand.................................  Crab products.                        
1701.99.05...................  Colombia.................................  Cane/beet sugar.                      
1701.99.10...................  Colombia.................................  Cane/beet sugar.                      
1702.90.35...................  Belize...................................  Invert molasses.                      
1703.90.30...................  Lebanon..................................  Molasses.                             
1902.11.40...................  Thailand.................................  Uncooked pasta.                       
2005.80.00...................  Thailand.................................  Sweet corn.                           
2007.99.40...................  Thailand.................................  Pineapple jam.                        
2009.99.48...................  Argentina................................  Apple pastes.                         
2008.19.30...................  Turkey...................................  Pignolia.                             
2008.50.20...................  Argentina................................  Apricot pulp.                         
2008.99.28...................  Turkey...................................  Figs.                                 
2008.99.35...................  Thailand.................................  Lychees.                              
2106.90.52...................  Philippines..............................  Juice.                                
2202.90.36...................  Colombia.................................  Juice.                                
2202.90.37...................  Dominican Republic.......................  Mixed juices.                         
2207.10.30...................  Ecuador..................................  Ethyl alcohol.                        
2208.90.10...................  Trinidad and Tobago......................  Bitters.                              
2208.90.70...................  Russia...................................  Vodka.                                
2309.90.70...................  Hungary..................................  Vitamin B12 feed.                     
2401.10.21...................  Dominican Republic.......................  Wrapper tobacco.                      
2401.10.29...................  Honduras.................................  Tobacco.                              
2401.20.45...................  Indonesia................................  Tobacco.                              
2401.20.55...................  Indonesia................................  Tobacco.                              
2516.90.00...................  South Africa.............................  Building stone.                       
2804.29.00...................  Ukraine..................................  Rare gases.                           
2805.40.00...................  Russia...................................  Mercury.                              
2825.30.00...................  South Africa.............................  Vanadium oxides.                      
2825.70.00...................  Chile....................................  Molybdenum oxides.                    
2840.11.00...................  Turkey...................................  Refined borax.                        
2843.21.00...................  Chile....................................  Silver nitrate.                       
2903.14.00...................  Brazil...................................  Carbon tetrchlrde.                    
2903.23.00...................  Brazil...................................  Tetrachloro.                          
2907.15.10...................  Russia...................................  alpha-Naphthol.                       
2907.23.00...................  Brazil...................................  Bisphenol.                            
2908.90.24...................  India....................................  4,6-Dinitro.                          
2910.20.00...................  Brazil...................................  Methyloxirane.                        
2915.34.00...................  Venezuela................................  Isobutyl aceta.                       
2915.35.00...................  Venezuela................................  2-Ethoxyethyl.                        
2917.14.10...................  Brazil...................................  Maleic anhydrid.                      
2917.32.00...................  Brazil...................................  Dioctyl ortho.                        
2917.37.00...................  Romania..................................  Dimethyl tereph.                      
2921.42.21...................  India....................................  Metanilic acid.                       
2922.29.25...................  India....................................  Fast color bases.                     
2933.40.08...................  Hungary..................................  4,7-Dichlor.                          
2938.10.00...................  Brazil...................................  Rutoside.                             
3301.24.00...................  India....................................  Essential oils.                       
3806.30.00...................  Argentina................................  Ester gums.                           
3920.93.00...................  India....................................  Plates, sheets.                       
4006.10.00...................  Brazil...................................  Rubber.                               
4104.31.20...................  Thailand.................................  Buffalo leather.                      
4106.19.30...................  Pakistan.................................  Goat leather.                         
4106.20.30...................  India....................................  Goat leather.                         
4106.20.60...................  Pakistan.................................  Goat leather.                         
4109.00.70...................  Brazil...................................  Patent leather.                       
4202.22.35...................  Philippines..............................  Handbags.                             
4205.00.60...................  Argentina................................  Reptile leather.                      

[[Page 55302]]
                                                                                                                
4411.19.20...................  Brazil...................................  Fiberboard.                           
4412.12.15...................  Brazil...................................  Plywood.                              
4412.19.10...................  Brazil...................................  Plywood.                              
4412.19.30...................  Russia...................................  Plywood.                              
4412.19.40...................  Indonesia................................  Plywood.                              
4412.29.40...................  Brazil...................................  Plywood.                              
4412.99.10...................  Brazil...................................  Plywood.                              
4412.99.40...................  Indonesia................................  Plywood.                              
4417.00.60...................  Brazil...................................  Wooden brush.                         
4421.90.10...................  Honduras.................................  Wood dowel pins.                      
4802.60.10...................  Brazil...................................  Writing paper.                        
4823.90.20...................  Philippines..............................  Papier-mache.                         
5208.31.20...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5208.32.10...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5208.41.20...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5208.42.10...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5208.51.20...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5208.52.10...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5209.31.30...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5209.41.30...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5209.51.30...................  India....................................  Cotton fabrics.                       
5307.20.00...................  India....................................  Yarn of jute.                         
5607.30.20...................  Philippines..............................  Twine, cordage.                       
5609.00.20...................  Philippines..............................  Article of Yarn.                      
5702.20.10...................  India....................................  Floor coverings.                      
5702.99.20...................  India....................................  Carpets.                              
5703.90.00...................  India....................................  Carpets.                              
6304.99.25...................  India....................................  Wall hangings.                        
6501.00.60...................  Czech Republic...........................  Hat forms.                            
7002.10.20...................  Malaysia.................................  Glass in balls.                       
7109.00.00...................  Chile....................................  Base metals.                          
7113.20.21...................  Oman.....................................  Rope necklace.                        
7114.19.00...................  Chile....................................  Goldsmith wares.                      
7202.21.10...................  Macedonia (Skopje).......................  Ferrosilicon.                         
7308.20.00...................  Brazil...................................  Steel towers.                         
7319.20.00...................  Malaysia.................................  Safety pins.                          
7403.12.00...................  Peru.....................................  Wire bars.                            
7407.29.15...................  Chile....................................  Copper profiles.                      
7603.10.00...................  Bahrain..................................  Aluminum powders.                     
7614.10.50...................  Brazil...................................  Stranded wire.                        
7614.90.20...................  Venezuela................................  Electrical cable.                     
7614.90.50...................  Venezuela................................  Stranded wire.                        
8107.90.00...................  Bulgaria.................................  Cadmium.                              
8112.11.60...................  Kazakhstan...............................  Berryllium.                           
8112.91.50...................  Chile....................................  Rhenium.                              
8213.00.60...................  Brazil...................................  Pinking shears.                       
8402.20.00...................  Colombia.................................  Water boilers.                        
8414.90.30...................  Slovenia.................................  Stators, rotors.                      
8450.90.40...................  Brazil...................................  Furniture.                            
8483.50.40...................  Malaysia.................................  Awning pulleys.                       
8519.21.00...................  Malaysia.................................  Record players.                       
8519.31.00...................  Malaysia.................................  Turntables.                           
8528.10.04...................  Hungary..................................  TV receivers.                         
8528.10.34...................  Malaysia.................................  TV receivers.                         
8546.10.00...................  Brazil...................................  Electrical insulators.                
8802.50.90...................  Russia...................................  Spacecraft.                           
9018.11.60...................  Argentina................................  Circuit assembles.                    
9102.29.04...................  Philippines..............................  Wrist watchead.                       
9303.90.80...................  Russia...................................  Firearms.                             
9401.90.15...................  Czech Republic...........................  Parts of seats.                       
9506.61.00...................  Philippines..............................  Lawn-tennis balls.                    
9606.29.20...................  Thailand.................................  Button of resin.                      
9614.20.60...................  Turkey...................................  Smoking pipes.                        
9614.20.80...................  Turkey...................................  Smoking pipes.                        
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[FR Doc. 95-26875 Filed 10-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M