[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 150 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 41865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20885]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-345]


Shifts in U.S. Merchandise Trade in 1998

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 1998.

ACTION: Opportunity to submit written statements in connection with the 
report issued in July 1999.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has prepared and published annual reports on 
U.S. trade shifts in selected industries/commodity areas under 
investigation No. 332-345 since 1993. The Commission plans to publish 
the next report in July 1999, which will cover shifts in U.S. trade in 
1998 compared with trade in 1997. The report structure and content is 
anticipated to be similar to the report issued in July 1998. Comments 
and suggestions regarding the July 1999 report are welcome in written 
submissions as specified below. The latest version of the report 
covering 1997 data (USITC Publication 3120, July 1998) may be obtained 
from the ITC's Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). A printed report 
may be requested by contacting the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-
2000 or by fax at 202-205-2104.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Questions about the trade shifts report may be directed to the project 
leader, Cherly Badra Qassis, Office of Industries (202-205-3436) or the 
assistant project leader, Tracy Quilter, Office of Industries (202-205-
3437). For information on the legal aspects, please contact Mr. William 
Gearhart, Office of General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should 
contact Ms. Margaret O'Laughlin, Public Affairs Officer (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 initial notice of institution of this investigation was 
published in the Federal Register of September 8, 1993 (58 FR 47287). 
The Commission expanded the scope of this investigation to cover 
service trade in a separate report, which it announced in a notice 
published in the Federal Register of December 28, 1994 (59 FR 66974). 
The merchandise trade report has been published in the current series 
under investigation No. 332-345 annually since September 1993. As in 
past years, each report will summarize and provide analyses of the 
major trade developments that occurred in the preceding year, and is 
expected to be published in July of each year. The reports will also 
provide summary trade information and basic statistical profiles of 
nearly 300 industry/commodity groups.

Written Submissions

    No public hearing is planned. However, interested persons are 
invited to submit written comments or suggestions concerning the July 
1999 report. Commercial or financial information which a submitter 
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be provided 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 and 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 of the Commission for 
inspection by interested persons. 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 December 
30, 1998. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United 
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20436.

    Issued: July 31, 1998.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-20885 Filed 8-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-M