[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 82 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21180-21181]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10527]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-430]


U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the Probable 
Economic Effect

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 23, 2001.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on April 17, 2001, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-430, U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement: Advice 
Concerning the Probable Economic Effect, under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from James Lukes, Project Leader (202-205-3426 or 
[email protected]) or David Lundy, Chief of Industrial Minerals and 
Nonferrous Metals (202-205-3439 or [email protected]), Office of 
Industries, 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 or 
[email protected]). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be 
viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://
dockets/.usitc.gov/eol/public.

BACKGROUND: As requested by USTR, the Commission will include the 
following in its report--
    1. Advice (to the President) with respect to each item in chapters 
1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTS), as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free 
treatment for imports of products of Chile on industries in the United 
States producing like or directly competitive articles and on 
consumers;
    2. Advice (to the President) with respect to each product sector, 
of the probable economic effect on U.S. exports to Chile of the removal 
of Chilean import duties; and
    3. A review of U.S. service transactions with Chile that (1) 
provides an overview of the nature and extent of such transactions; (2) 
highlights key U.S. service industries that export services to Chile or 
provide services through U.S.-owned affiliates; (3) identifies 
principal nontariff barriers that impede U.S. participation in these 
industries in the Chilean market; and (4) assesses the effects of such 
barriers on U.S. service providers.
    As requested by the USTR, in preparing its advice with respect to 
the removal of U.S. duties on imports from Chile, the Commission will 
assume that any known U.S. nontariff barrier will not be applicable to 
such imports; and the Commission will note in its report any instance 
in which the continued application of a U.S. nontariff barrier would 
result in different advice with respect to the effect of the removal of 
the duty. Similarly, in preparing its advice with respect to the 
removal of Chilean duties on U.S. products, the Commission will assume 
that any known Chilean nontariff barriers will not be applicable to 
U.S. products; and will note any instance where the continued 
application of such a Chilean nontariff barrier would result in 
different advice.
    The USTR requested the Commission to provide the advice in a 
confidential report by October 17, 2001. In his letter to the 
Commission, the USTR stated that the United States and Chile are 
engaged in negotiations to reach a comprehensive bilateral free trade 
agreement. The USTR stated that further advice from the Commission is 
needed to assist in the process of achieving an agreement.

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 May 30, 2001. 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., May 22, 2001. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 24, 2001; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 13, 
2001. To allow sufficient time for full consideration, the Commission 
encourages persons who appear at the public hearing to submit any 
prepared statements and accompanying material to the Secretary by 5:15 
p.m., May 24, 2001. In the event that, as of the close of business on 
May 22, 2001, 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 to the 
Commission (202-205-1806) after May 22, 2001, 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 in accordance with 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, 
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

[[Page 21181]]

business on June 13, 2001. 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.

LIST OF SUBJECTS: Chile, tariffs, and imports.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: April 24, 2001.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-10527 Filed 4-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P