[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6276-6277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3198]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-438]


U.S.-Taiwan FTA: Likely Economic Impact of a Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA) Between the United States and Taiwan

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: February 4, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on January 17, 2002, from the 
Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-438, U.S.-Taiwan FTA: Likely Economic Impact of a 
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Between the United States and Taiwan, under 
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), to assess 
the likely impact of a free trade agreement between the United States 
and Taiwan. As requested by the Committee, the Commission plans to 
submit its report by October 17, 2002.
    As requested by the Committee, in its report the Commission will 
provide to the extent possible:
     A general overview of the Taiwan economy;
     An overview of the current economic relationship between 
the United States and Taiwan, including a discussion of the important 
industry sectors in each;
     An inventory and analysis of the barriers (tariff and 
nontariff) to trade between the United States and Taiwan;
     A dynamic, as well as a static, analysis of the economic 
effects of eliminating all quantifiable trade barriers (tariff and 
nontariff), with special attention to agricultural goods, on:
     The volume of trade in goods and services between Taiwan 
and the United States;
     Sectoral output and gross domestic product for Taiwan and 
the United States;
     Wages and employment across industry sectors for each; and
     Final prices paid by consumers in Taiwan and the United 
States.
     A qualitative assessment of the effects of removing 
nonquantifiable trade barriers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from 
Soamiely Andriamananjara, Project Leader (TEL: 202-205-3252; e-mail: 
[email protected]), Office of Economics, or Jennifer Baumert, Deputy 
Project Leader (TEL: 205-3450; e-mail: [email protected]), Office of 
Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. 
For information on the legal aspects, contact William Gearhart (TEL: 
202-205-3091; e-mail: [email protected]), Office of the General 
Counsel. The media should contact Peg O'Laughlin, Public Affairs 
Officer (TEL: 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. 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). 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:

    In its letter to the Commission, the Committee noted that other 
major trading nations are moving to conclude preferential trade 
arrangements that favor their own industries. The Committee also stated 
that the recent accession of Taiwan to the WTO will strengthen its role 
in the multilateral trading system, and that Taiwan has one of the most 
rapidly developing economies in the Asia Pacific region.

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 13, 2002. 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., April 30, 2002. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m., May 7, 2002; the deadline for 
filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 23, 2002. In 
the event that, as of the close of business on April 30, 2002, 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 nonparticipant may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-
1806) after April 30, 2002, 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 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 section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). 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. The Committee has requested that the Commission prepare a 
public report (containing no confidential business information). 
Accordingly, any confidential business information received by the 
Commission in this investigation and used in preparing the report will 
not be published in a manner that would reveal the operations of the 
firm supplying the information. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be

[[Page 6277]]

submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date and should 
be received no later than the close of business on May 23, 2002. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. 
The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the 
Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.

List of Subjects

    Taiwan, International trade, Free trade agreement, Tariffs, and 
Non-tariff Barriers.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: February 5, 2002.

Marilyn R. Abbott,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-3198 Filed 2-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P