[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5026-5027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2884]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-365]


U.S. Interests in APEC Trade Liberalization

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 24, 1996.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on September 28, 1995, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
Investigation No. 332-365, U.S. Interests in APEC Trade Liberalization, 
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Frankena (202) 205-3265 or Joanne 
Guth (202) 205-3264. Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810.

BACKGROUND: In 1994, the 18 members of the Asia Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) forum agreed to the goal of attaining free and open 
trade and investment among members by the year 2020 (2010 for developed 
countries). At its November 1995 Ministerial and Leaders' Meetings, 
APEC adopted an Action Agenda on trade and investment liberalization, 
facilitation, and cooperation to be used as a blueprint by members in 
formulating concrete plans for attaining the goal of free and open 
trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The plans, which are 
being formulated now and will be finalized in November 1996, will 
specify both collective and individual actions to be taken in 15 issue 
areas over the near to medium-term. The 15 issue areas broadly address 
market access issues such as tariff and non-tariff measure 
liberalization, liberalization of trade in services and investment, as 
well as such topics as customs procedures, standards and conformity 
assessment, intellectual property rights, government procurement, 
competition policy, and deregulation.
    To help the United States prepare for participation in the APEC 
process in 1996, the USTR requested that the Commission prepare a two 
part report. The first part is to provide a profile of each APEC 
economy's general level of liberalization and remaining barriers to 
trade and investment. The second part is to provide an indepth analysis 
of further trade liberalization in the APEC region.
    As requested by the USTR, in the first part of its report the 
Commission will provide a profile for each APEC economy that covers the 
following elements:
     Estimated average tariff levels in total and by sector, 
now and after full implementation of Uruguay Round commitments;
     Nontariff or rulemaking Uruguay Round commitments 
undertaken by each economy;
     Areas where acceleration of Uruguay Round commitments or 
further liberalization of Uruguay Round results by the economy may be 
possible;
     Remaining nontariff trade barriers (e.g., standards, 
government procurement, intellectual property, regulatory systems), 
including an analysis of sectors where tariff levels are irrelevant 
because of such barriers;
     Barriers to investment;
     Barriers to trade in services;
     Areas where U.S. industry has the greatest interest in 
APEC liberalization; and
     Other issues relevant to an assessment of each APEC 
economy's overall level of liberalization.
    The USTR stated that, for the present NAFTA members and Chile, a 
review of estimated tariff levels and Uruguay Round commitments would 
be sufficient.
    As requested by the USTR, in the second part of its report, the 
Commission will provide an indepth examination of tariff liberalization 
in areas with a high percentage of intra-APEC trade. This analysis will 
cover the following factors:
     The value of U.S. trade affected (both imports and 
exports) and calculated duties collected (imports), the percentage of 
total U.S. trade and duties collected, all the foregoing in total, by 
sector, and with APEC;
     U.S. duty rates on these products (including the value of 
duty-free trade 

[[Page 5027]]
both now and after full Uruguay Round implementation);
     The extent to which intra-APEC trade in these products is 
also intra-NAFTA trade, and the extent to which trade between APEC and 
non-APEC countries in these products is concentrated among major U.S. 
trading partners;
     The products most affected on the import and export sides;
     The percentage of U.S. imports and exports affected in 
particular sectors such as oilseeds, chemicals, wood, electronics, 
etc.; and
     A general description of how each other APEC economy would 
be affected including, to the extent feasible, the percentage of 
imports and exports of each APEC economy covered by these products, and 
estimates of calculated duties saved for the United States in other 
APEC economies and for other APEC economies in the U.S. market.
    The Commission intends to provide its report to the USTR on May 31, 
1996. As requested, the Commission's staff provided USTR with a list of 
products with a high percentage of intra-APEC trade on October 13, 
1995. Also, the Commission will provide USTR with statistical/technical 
data, along with a briefing document, by March 27, 1996. The USTR 
indicated that USTR may classify as confidential portions of the 
Commission's report.
    The ITC is seeking input for its study from all interested parties, 
particularly in areas where U.S. industry has the greatest interest in 
liberalization of APEC trade and investment.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with this investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on April 3, 1996. All persons 
will have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information, and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW. Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., March 18, 1996. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 19, 1996. The deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., April 10, 
1996. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 18, 1996, 
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will 
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission at 
202-205-2000 after March 18, 1996, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

Written Submissions

    Interested parties are invited to submit written statements 
concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report 
on this investigation. Commercial or financial information that a 
submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be 
submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked 
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions 
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of 
section Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure 
(19 C.F.R. 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential 
business information, will be made available in the Office of the 
Secretary to the Commission for inspection by interested parties. To be 
assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating 
to the Commission's report should be submitted to the Commission at the 
earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close 
of business on April 10, 1996. All submissions should be addressed to 
the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the 
Secretary at (202) 205-2000.

    By order of the Commission.

    Dated: February 6, 1996.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-2884 Filed 2-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P