[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60100-60101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29378]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-387]


North American Free Trade Agreement: Probable Economic Effect on 
U.S. Industries and Consumers of Accelerated Elimination of U.S. 
Tariffs on Certain Articles From Mexico, Round Two

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: October 30, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on October 20, 1997, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative

[[Page 60101]]

(USTR), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-387, under 
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332 (g)), to 
advise the President, with respect to each dutiable article listed in 
Annex I of the USTR's notice published in the Federal Register of 
October 21, 1997 (62 FR 54671), of its judgment as to the probable 
economic effect of the immediate elimination of the U.S. tariff under 
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on domestic industries 
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers. Annex 
I is available from the USTR Internet home page at http://www.ustr.gov 
and from the Commission Internet home page at http://www.usitc.gov.
    The USTR asked that the Commission provide its advice not later 
than 120 days following the Commission's receipt of the request, or by 
February 17, 1998, and has indicated that it may classify all or part 
of the Commission's report as Confidential.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information may be obtained 
from the project leader, Carl Seastrum (202-205-3493), Minerals, 
Metals, Machinery, and Miscellaneous Manufactures Division, Office of 
Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. 
For information on the legal aspects of this investigation contact 
William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). 
The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External 
Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810. For information on a product basis, contact 
the appropriate member of the Commission's Office of Industries as 
follows:
     Agriculture and Forest Products Division, Stacey Linn 
(202-205-3317).
     Energy, Chemicals, and Textiles Division, Elizabeth 
Howlett (202-205-3365).
     Minerals, Metals, Machinery, and Miscellaneous 
Manufactures Division, Josephine Spalding (202-205-3498).
     Services, Electronics, and Transportation Division, Heidi 
Colby (202-205-3391).
    Background: As stated by the USTR in a letter dated October 20, 
1997, the Governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada have 
agreed to enter into consultations to consider the acceleration of the 
elimination of the import duty on certain articles. The USTR further 
stated that the President is authorized by section 201(b) of the North 
American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, subject to the 
consultation and lay-over requirements of section 103(a) of the Act, to 
proclaim any accelerated schedule for duty elimination that may be 
agreed to by the United States, Mexico, and Canada under Article 302(3) 
of the NAFTA. Section 103(a) requires that the President obtain advice 
regarding the proposed action from the United States International 
Trade Commission. The accelerated elimination of tariffs in this second 
round of negotiations between the United States and Mexico will be 
pursued on a reciprocal basis in response to petitions submitted to the 
Governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The USTR included 
with its request a list of products to be considered for immediate 
reciprocal elimination of tariffs.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the 
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 
January 7, 1998, and continuing on January 8 if an additional day is 
needed. 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, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, 
not later than 5:15 p.m., December 11, 1997. Any prehearing briefs 
(original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., 
December 12, 1997; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or 
statements is 5:15 p.m., January 14, 1998.
    In the event that, as of the close of business on December 16, 
1997, 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 to the Commission 
(202-205-1816) after December 16, to determine whether the hearing will 
be held.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, 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 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 
CFR 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 the public. To be assured of 
consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the 
Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than the close of business on January 
14, 1998. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United 
States 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. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov).

    Issued: October 31, 1997.
    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97-29378 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P