[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 121 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38857-38858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15694]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-417]


Advice on Providing Additional GSP Benefits for Sub-Saharan 
Africa

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: June 15, 2000.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on May 22, 2000, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
Investigation No. 332-417, Advice on Providing Additional GSP Benefits 
for Sub-Saharan Africa, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 
(19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
    As requested by USTR pursuant to section 332 (g) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 and in accordance with sections 503(a)(1)(B), 503(e) and 131(a) 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (1974 Act), the Commission will 
provide 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 under the Generalized System of 
Preferences (GSP) for 1,897 articles from potential beneficiary sub-
Saharan African countries.
    As requested by USTR, the Commission will assume that the benefits 
of the GSP would continue to apply to imports that normally would be 
excluded from receiving such benefits by virtue of the competitive need 
limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act (an exemption 
from the application of the competitive need limits for the beneficiary 
sub-Saharan African countries is provided for in section 503(c)(2)(D) 
of the 1974 Act).
    As requested by USTR, the Commission expects to submit its report 
by October 2, 2000. The Commission will publish shortly thereafter a 
public version of the report, deleting the information that has been 
classified by USTR or which the Commission considers to be confidential 
business information.

[[Page 38858]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry information may be obtained 
from Robert Wallace (202-205-3458), Melani Schultz (202-205-3436), or 
Kim Freund (202-708-5402) of the Office of Industries and on legal 
aspects from William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-
3091). The media should contact 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

    In her letter to the Commission, the USTR noted that the Trade 
Policy Staff Committee, pursuant to legislation, has determined to 
institute an investigation and request the advice of the Commission on 
the designation of certain articles as eligible articles under the GSP 
only for countries designated as beneficiary sub-Saharan African 
countries for purposes of the GSP program. On May 18, 2000, the 
President signed legislation amending the GSP provisions under the 1974 
Act for beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries (Pub. L. 106-200, 114 
Stat. 251) (Trade and Development Act of 2000'for the GSP-related 
provisions, see subtitle B of title I of the Act). The legislation 
permits the President to provide the 48 potential beneficiary sub-
Saharan African countries with GSP duty-free treatment for any article 
described in section 503(b)(1)(B) through (G) of Title V of the 1974 
Act, which identifies categories of ``import-sensitive articles'' 
excluded from GSP eligibility, if, after receiving advice from the 
Commission, the President determines that such articles are not import-
sensitive in the context of imports from beneficiary countries. The 
items identified for consideration of GSP eligibility for sub-Saharan 
African countries exclude sections 503(b)(1)(A) and 503(b)(2) of Title 
V of the Trade Act of 1974, relating to textiles and apparel, and 
agricultural products over tariff-rate quotas. The articles for which 
the Commission will provide probable economic effect advice are as 
follows:

    (B) Watches, except those that will cause material injury to 
watch or watch band strap or bracelet manufacturing and assembly 
operations in the United States or the United States insular 
possessions;
    (C) Import-sensitive electronic articles;
    (D) Import-sensitive steel articles;
    (E) Footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves, and 
leather wearing apparel;
    (F) Import-sensitive semimanufactured and manufactured glass 
products; and
    (G) Any other articles which the President has determined to be 
import sensitive in the context of GSP.

    As requested by USTR, the Commission will provide its probable 
economic effect advice in terms of the 8-digit subheadings of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) providing for the 
above referenced articles. Many of these articles are already 
designated as eligible for GSP for least developed beneficiary 
countries. A list of the articles by HTS subheadings and a list of the 
48 potential beneficiary countries in sub-Saharan Africa are available 
from the Office of the Secretary or may be obtained from the 
Commission's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov.

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 July 27, 2000, and continuing 
on July 28, 2000, if necessary. 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., July 7, 2000. 
Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not 
later than 5:15 p.m., July 18, 2000. The deadline for filing post-
hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 3, 2000. In the event 
that, as of the close of business on July 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 July 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 person 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). The Commission's Rules do not authorize 
filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic 
means. All written submissions must conform with the provisions of 
section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules. 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 August 3, 2000. 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).

List of Subjects

    GSP, sub-Saharan Africa, tariffs, and imports.

    Issued: June 15, 2000.
    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-15694 Filed 6-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7120-02-P