[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64402-64403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31924]


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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: Amendment to scope of the investigation.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: December 1, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on November 25, 1997, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
amended the scope of its investigation No. 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, to add three subheadings of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), 2918.90.05, 
2918.90.43, and 2918.90.47, to the list of articles for which the USTR 
is seeking the Commission's advice. The purpose of the investigation, 
conducted under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)), is to provide the President, with respect to specified 
articles, of the Commission's 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.

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 products listed in this expanded scope notice, 
contact Elizabeth Howlett (202-205-3365) of the Energy, Chemicals, and 
Textiles Division of the Office of Industries. 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.

Background

    The Commission's notice of institution of the investigation and the 
scheduling of a public hearing was published in the Federal Register of 
November 6, 1997 (62 FR 60100). As stated by the USTR in her letter of 
October 20, 1997, requesting the investigation, the Governments of the 
United States, Mexico, and Canada have agreed to enter into 
consultations to consider accelerated elimination of the import duty on 
certain articles. 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 original request a list of products to be considered for 
immediate reciprocal elimination of tariffs. The Commission will submit 
its report no later than February 17, 1998. USTR has indicated that it 
may classify all or part of the Commission's report as Confidential.

Public Hearing

     A public hearing will be held on January 7, 1998, and continuing, 
if necessary on January 8, 1998, as announced in the notice published 
on November 6, 1997. Persons wishing to appear at the public hearing to 
offer testimony concerning the probable economic effect of the 
immediate elimination of the U.S. tariffs on HTS subheadings 
2918.90.05, 2918.90.43, and 2918.90.47 should file a request to testify 
with the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, not later than 5:15 p.m., December 18, 
1997. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed 
not later than 5:15 p.m., December 19, 1997. For all other articles 
subject to this investigation, all the dates announced in the notice 
published on November 6, 1997, will remain the same.

Written Submissions

     In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the investigation. Written statements should be submitted by the close 
of business on January 14, 1998. Commercial or financial information 
that a submitter desires the

[[Page 64403]]

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. 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: December 2, 1997.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-31924 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-04-P