[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10756-10757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5614]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-440]


Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction or Elimination of U.S. 
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. 332-440, Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction or 
Elimination of U.S. 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 as to the 
probable economic effect on U.S. industries producing like or directly 
competitive articles and on consumers of:
     Eliminating U.S. tariffs of 5 percent ad valorem or below 
on dutiable imports from all U.S. trading partners and reducing all 
other U.S. tariffs by 50 percent;
     Eliminating U.S. tariffs on all dutiable imports from all 
U.S. trading partners; and
     Eliminating U.S. tariffs on all dutiable imports from FTAA 
countries.
    The import analysis will consider each article in chapters 1 
through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for 
which tariffs will remain after the United States fully implements its 
Uruguay Round tariff commitments. The import advice will be based on 
the 2002 Harmonized Tariff System nomenclature and 2000 trade data. The 
report will identify the five largest sources of dutiable imports 
(including import values) for each article under the scenarios 
identified above. The Commission will provide its advice on the effect 
of reduction or elimination of U.S. tariffs no later than August 9, 
2002.

[[Page 10757]]


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 at the 
November 14, 2001, WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, the 
United States and other WTO members agreed to launch new multilateral 
negotiations. The new WTO agenda will include negotiations on 
agriculture mandated under the Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization. In addition, the letter noted that at the Quebec City 
Summit of the Americas last April, leaders of the Western Hemisphere 
democracies called for the conclusion of the Free Trade Area of the 
Americas (FTAA) by no later than January 1, 2005; and that negotiations 
on agricultural and industrial tariffs in the FTAA will be initiated 
this year.

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 1, 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 10, 
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 10, 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 imports.

    Issued: March 4, 2002.
    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-5614 Filed 3-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P