[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 250 (Thursday, December 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73582-73583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33905]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-409]


The Impact on the U.S. Economy of Including the United Kingdom in 
a Free Trade Arrangement with The United States, Canada, and Mexico

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: December 21, 1999.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on November 18, 1999, from the 
Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-409, The Impact on the U.S. Economy of Including 
the United Kingdom in a Free Trade Arrangement

[[Page 73583]]

with the United States, Canada, and Mexico, under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). The Commission plans to submit 
its report by August 18, 2000.
    As requested by the Committee, the Commission will provide to the 
extent possible:
     An overview of the current economic relationship among the 
United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom in terms of trade 
and investment flows, including a discussion of the key industries and 
comparative advantages of each country.
     Identification of all existing barriers (tariff and non-
tariff) to trade and investment among the United States, Canada, 
Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
     For the United States and the United Kingdom, the 
estimated effect of eliminating these barriers on:
     The volume of trade in goods and services between the two 
countries;
     Gross Domestic Product for each country resulting from 
increased trade and investment
     Employment across industry sectors, with special attention 
to changes in the competitive position of industries, job creation and 
loss, productivity, and wages;
     Balance of payments for each country as a result of new 
trade patterns;
     Amount of foreign direct investment between the two 
countries,;
     Final prices paid by consumers in each country.
     A discussion on any increase in quality or selection of 
goods, or other consumer benefits.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from Kyle 
Johnson, Project Leader (202-205-3229) or Soamiely Andriamananjara, 
Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3252), Office of Economics, 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). Hearing impaired 
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.

Background

    In its letter to the Commission, the Committee stated that the 
U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the North American Free 
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have significantly helped to expand the volume 
of trade between the United States and its North American trading 
partners, and that the Committee seeks an analysis in order to 
determine whether the success of the CFTA and NAFTA can be replicated 
with other trading partners.
    In estimating the effect of the elimination of barriers to trade 
and investment on the economies of the United States and the United 
Kingdom, the Commission will conduct a comparative statics analysis 
based on the most current data available on trade, investment, the 
barriers to these flows, and the trade and investment relationships 
between these countries and their other significant trading partners.

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 April 11, 2000. All persons 
shall 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, no later than 5:15 
p.m., March 28, 2000. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April 4, 2000; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 5, 2000. 
In the event that, as of the close of business on April 7, 2000, 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 (202-205-
1806) after April 7, 2000, 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 (original 
and 14 copies) 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 C.F.R. 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 
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 May 4, 2000. All submissions should 
be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's 
rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by 
facsimile or electronic means.
    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).

List of Subjects

    NAFTA, United Kingdom, tariffs, investment, and imports.

    Issued: December 22, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-33905 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P