[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 164 (Thursday, August 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 44333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21328]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Determination with Respect to Modification of Tariff 
Rate Quotas on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: The Department has recommended that no modification be made to 
the tariff rate quotas.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce has determined that the 2001 
limitation on the quantity of imports of worsted wool fabrics that may 
be imported under the tariff rate quotas established by Title V of the 
Trade and Development Act of 2000 should not be modified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4058.

BACKGROUND:

    Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (The Act) creates 
two tariff rate quotas, providing for temporary reductions in the 
import duties on two categories of worsted wool fabrics suitable for 
use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers. For worsted wool 
fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 microns (new 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) heading 
9902.51.11), the reduction in duty is limited to 2,500,000 square meter 
equivalents per year. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber 
diameters of 18.5 microns or less (new HTS heading 9902.51.12), the 
reduction is limited to 1,500,000 square meter equivalents per year. 
Both these limitations may be modified by the President, not to exceed 
1,000,000 square meter equivalents per year for each tariff rate quota.
    The Act requires annual consideration of requests by U.S. apparel 
manufacturers for modification of the limitation on the quantity of 
fabric that may be imported under the tariff rate quotas, and grants 
the President the authority to proclaim modifications to the 
limitations. In determining whether to modify the limitations, 
specified U.S. market conditions with respect to worsted wool fabric 
and worsted wool apparel must be considered.
    In Presidential Proclamation 7383, of December 1, 2000, the 
President authorized the Secretary of Commerce to determine whether the 
limitations on the quantity of imports of worsted wool fabrics under 
the tariff rate quotas should be modified and to recommend to the 
President that appropriate modifications be made.
    On January 22, the Department published regulations establishing 
procedures for considering requests for modification of the 
limitations. 66 FR 6459, 15 C.F.R. 340. These procedures include an 
annual solicitation in the Federal Register of requests to modify the 
limitations, notice in the Federal Register of any such request(s) and 
a solicitation of public comments on such request(s).
    The regulations provide that not more than 30 days following the 
close of the comment period, the Department will determine whether the 
limitations on the quantity of imports under the tariff rate quotas 
should be modified, and recommend to the President that appropriate 
modifications be made.
    A request was received on April 13, 2001 from Hartmarx Corporation, 
on behalf of the Tailored Clothing Association, to increase the level 
of both 2001 tariff rate quotas by 1,000,000 square meter equivalents. 
On June 11, 2001, the Department solicited comments on the request and 
comments were received from eighteen companies and organizations.
    After reviewing the request, the comments received, and other 
information obtained, including a report prepared by the U.S. 
International Trade Commission, and after considering the specific 
market conditions set forth in the Act, the Department has determined 
that the 2001 limitation on the quantity of imports of worsted wool 
fabrics that may be imported under the tariff rate quotas established 
by Title V of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 should not be 
modified. Accordingly, the Department has recommended to the President 
that no modification be made to the tariff rate quotas.

    Dated: August 14, 2001
Linda M. Conlin,
Assistant Secretary for Trade Development, Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 01-21328 Filed 8-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S