[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73574-73575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33903]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-410]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: On December 17, 1999, the Commission received a request from 
the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for an investigation 
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) for 
the purpose of providing advice concerning possible modifications to 
the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Following receipt of the 
request and in accordance therewith, the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-410 in order to provide as follows--
    (1) With respect to the articles listed in Part A of the attached 
Annex, advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries 
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the 
elimination of U.S. import duties for all beneficiary developing 
countries under the GSP. In providing its advice, the USTR requested 
that the Commission assume that the benefits of the GSP would not apply 
to imports that would be excluded from receiving such benefits by 
virtue of the competitive need limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) 
of the Trade Act of 1974(1974 Act) (19 U.S.C. 2463(c)(2)(A)); and
    (2) With respect to articles listed in Part A and Part C of the 
attached Annex, advice as to whether products like or directly 
competitive with the articles were being produced in the United States 
on January 1, 1995; and
    (3) With respect to the article listed in Part B of the attached 
Annex, advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries 
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the 
removal of the country specified with respect to the article in Part B 
from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the GSP for such 
article; and
    (4) In accordance with section 503(d)(1)(A) of the 1974 Act, advice 
on whether any industry in the United States is likely to be adversely 
affected by a waiver of the competitive need limits specified in 
section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for Brazil for HTS Subheading 
7202.99.10 in Part A and the country specified with respect to the 
articles in Part D of the attached Annex.
    With respect to the competitive need limit in section 
503(c)(2)(A)(I)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as requested, will 
use the dollar value limit of $90,000,000.
    As requested by USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than March 16, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 23, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (1) Project Manager, Eric Land (202-
205-3349); (2) Deputy Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-
3348).
    All of the above are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For 
information on legal aspects of the investigation contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091.

Background

    The USTR letter noted that the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) 
announced in the December 23, 1999 Federal Register the acceptance of 
product petitions for modification of the GSP received as part of the 
1999 annual review. The letter stated that modifications to the GSP 
which may result from this review will be announced in the spring of 
2000 and become effective in the summer of 2000.

[[Page 73575]]

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with this investigation is scheduled 
to begin at 9:30 a.m. on February 2, 2000, at the U.S. International 
Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, D.C. All 
persons have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present 
information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public 
hearing should file a letter asking to testify with the Secretary, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20436, not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) 
January 18, 2000. In addition, persons testifying should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on January 20, 2000. Posthearing briefs should be 
filed with the Secretary by close of business on February 11, 2000. In 
the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the 
close of business January 18, 2000, 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 January 20, 2000, to determine whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the public hearing, 
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close 
of business on February 11, 2000. Commercial or financial information 
which 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). Persons submitting business confidential information should 
be aware that the Commission may include such information in the 
confidential version of its report to the USTR. All written 
submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made 
available for inspection by interested persons. All submissions should 
be addressed to the Secretary at the Commission's office in Washington, 
D.C. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with 
the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means. Hearing-impaired 
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.

    Issued: December 23, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
Attachment Annex I (HTS Subheadings) 1
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    \1\ See USTR Federal Register notice of December 23, 1999 (64 
F.R. 246) for article description.
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    A. Petitions to add products to the list of eligible articles for 
the GSP.

7202.99.10 2
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    \2\ The petitioner also requests a waiver of the competitive 
need limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for 
Brazil on the articles provided for in subheading 7202.99.10.
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8104.19.00
8104.30.00

    B. Petitions to remove duty-free status from beneficiary developing 
countries for products on the list of eligible articles for the GSP.

2905.42.00 (Brazil)

    C. Petitions to determine whether products like or directly 
competitive with an eligible article were being produced in the United 
States on January 1, 1995.

3817.10.50

    D. Petitions for waiver of competitive need limits for products on 
the list of eligible products for the specified country.

2905.11.20 (Chile)
7202.50.00 (Russia)
[FR Doc. 99-33903 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P