[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10753-10754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5514]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-441]


Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction or Elimination of 
Foreign Tariffs

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: February 28, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on February 11, 2002, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-441, Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction or 
Elimination of Foreign Tariffs, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
    As requested by USTR, the Commission will provide advice, at the 
most disaggregated level feasible, on the probable economic effect on 
U.S. industry sectors and U.S. exports if U.S. trading partners reduce 
or eliminate their tariffs as a result of the WTO and FTAA 
negotiations. Specifically, the Commission will provide advice on the 
effect on U.S. exports and major U.S. agricultural and industrial 
sectors, as the Commission defines them, if:

 All U.S. trading partners eliminate their tariffs of 5 percent 
ad valorem or

[[Page 10754]]

below and reduce all other tariffs by 50 percent;
 All U.S. trading partners eliminate their tariffs; and
 All FTAA countries eliminate their tariffs.

    The Commission will provide its advice on the effect of reduction 
or elimination of foreign tariffs no later than November 22, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from Robert Carr, Project Leader (202-205-3402), or George 
Serletis, Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3315), 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). The media 
should contact Peg O'Laughlin of the Office of External Relations (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.

Background

    In his letter to the Commission, the USTR noted that the United 
States will enter into multilateral negotiations on market access for 
industrial products as called for under the WTO Ministerial Declaration 
issued in Doha last November. In addition, he noted that WTO 
negotiations on trade in agriculture are expected to intensify this 
year and that the United States will begin negotiations on agricultural 
and non-agricultural tariffs later this year as part of broader 
negotiations toward establishing the Free Trade Area of the Americas 
(FTAA).

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 3, 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 17, 2002. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April 19, 2002; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 13, 
2002. In the event that, as of the close of business on April 17, 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 non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission 
(202-205-1806) after April 17, 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 Sec. 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 Commission may include some or all of the confidential 
business information submitted by interested parties in its report to 
the USTR. 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 business on May 13, 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.
    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.
    List of Subjects WTO, FTAA, tariffs, and exports.

    Issued: March 1, 2002.
    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-5514 Filed 3-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P