[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 248 (Thursday, December 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 66874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31701]


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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 2002 tariff rate quotas.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce has determined that the 2002 
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 
(Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) heading 
9902.51.11), the reduction in duty is limited to 2,500,000 square 
meters per year. For worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters 
of 18.5 microns or less (HTS heading 9902.51.12), the reduction is 
limited to 1,500,000 square meters per year. Both these limitations may 
be modified by the President, not to exceed 1,000,000 square meters 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, 2001 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.
    On September 14, 2001 the Department published a notice of 
solicitation of requests for modification of the 2002 tariff rate 
quotas on the import of certain worsted wool fabric. The Department 
received four such requests, from Hartmarx Corporation and Hickey-
Freeman, on behalf of themselves and the Tailored Clothing Association; 
Hartz & Company, Inc.; Hugo Boss; and Tom James Company. These requests 
were for the maximum increase (1,000,000 square meters) in each of the 
two tariff rate quota limitations (HTS 9902.51.11 and HTS 9902.51.12). 
On October 24, 2001, the Department solicited comments on the request 
for a period of 20 days. The Department received comments from seven 
companies/trade associations. Three of the respondents, the American 
Apparel and Footwear Association, Corbin Ltd., and Hardwick Clothes, 
supported the request for modification, and four of the respondents, 
Burlington Industries, the Northern Textile Association, Victor 
Forstmann, Inc., and the Warren Corporation, opposed the request for 
modification.
    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 determined that 
the 2002 limitation on the quantity of imports of worsted wool fabrics 
that may be imported subject to 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: December 19, 2001.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Apparel and Consumer 
Goods Industries
[FR Doc.01-31701 Filed 12-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S