[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47636-47637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23030]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-433]


NAFTA: Probable Economic Effect of Accelerated Tariff Elimination

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 10, 2001.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request from the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) on August 30, 2001, the Commission instituted 
Investigation No. 332-433, NAFTA: Probable Economic Effect of 
Accelerated Tariff Elimination, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to provide advice to the President and the 
USTR with respect to each article listed in an attachment to the USTR 
letter as to the probable economic effect of the elimination of the 
U.S. tariff under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on 
domestic industries producing like or

[[Page 47637]]

directly competitive articles, workers in these industries, and on 
consumers of the affected goods. All of the listed articles are 
footwear products. The USTR asked that the Commission provide its 
advice no later than October 12, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact Laura 
Rodriguez (202-205-3499; [email protected]), of the Office of 
Industries; for information on legal aspects, contact William Gearhart 
(202-205-3091; [email protected]) of the Office of the General 
Counsel. The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Public Affairs 
Officer (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired individuals may obtain 
information on this matter by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal 
on 202 205-1810. 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 about 
the Commission may be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).

Background

    The letter from the USTR stated that the United States and Mexico 
have agreed to enter into consultations to consider acceleration of the 
elimination of tariffs on certain articles. Section 201(b)(1) of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the ``Act'') 
authorizes the President, subject to the consultation and layover 
requirements of section 103(a) of the Act, to proclaim such 
modifications as the United States may agree to with Mexico or Canada 
regarding the staging of any duty treatment set forth in Annex 302.2 of 
the NAFTA. One of the requirements set out in section 103(a) of the Act 
is that the President obtain advice regarding the proposed action from 
the Commission. The USTR requested advice with respect to NAFTA-
qualifying articles from Mexico entered under the following subheadings 
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States: 6402.3090, 
6404.1120, 6404.1950, 6404.2040, 6406.1045, 6402.9160, 6404.1915, 
6404.1960, 6404.2060, 6402.9170, 6404.1925, 6404.1970, 6406.1005, 
6402.9960, 6404.1930, 6404.1980, 6406.1010, 6402.9970, 6404.1935, 
6404.2020, 6406.1020.

Written Submissions

    The Commission will not hold a public hearing in connection with 
the advice provided under this investigation. However, 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 
Sec. 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 
by facsimile or electronic means. All written submissions, except for 
confidential business information, will be made 2 available for 
inspection by interested persons in the Office of the Secretary to the 
Commission. Written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted at the earliest practical date and should be 
received no later than the close of business on September 28, 2001. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436.

    Issued: September 10, 2001.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-23030 Filed 9-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P