[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57450-57451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22920]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-447]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences (GSP)

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on August 22, 2002, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(b) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332 (g)), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-447, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences.
    Background: As requested by the USTR, in accordance with sections 
503(a)(1)(A) 503(e), and 131(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (1974 Act), 
and under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the Commission will 
provide advice as to the probable economic effort on U.S. industries 
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the 
elimination of U.S. import duties for all beneficiary countries under 
the GSP for the following HTS subheadings: 0406.90.41, 1202.10.40, 
1202.20.40, 1901.90.42, 2008.11.25, 2008.11.45, 2009.41.20, 2009.49.20, 
2009.60.00, 2009.69.00, 2204.30.00, 3806.90.00, 7202.99.50, 8482.10.10, 
8482.10.50, and 8482.20.00.
    In providing its advice on these articles, the USTR asked that the 
Commission assume that the benefits of the GSP would not apply to 
imports that would be excluded from receiving from receiving such 
benefits by virtue of the competitive need limits specified in section 
503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act.
    As requested under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 and in 
accordance with section 503(d)(1)(A) of the 1974 Act, the Commission 
will provide advice on whether any industry in the United States is 
likely to be adversely affected by a waiver of the competitive need 
limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for Argentina 
for the following HTS subheadings: 1202.20.40, 2008.11.25, 2009.61.00, 
2009.69.00; for the Philippines or HTS subheading 2009.49.20; and for 
Turkey for HTS subheading 7113.19.50.
    With respect to the competitive need limit in section 
503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as requested, will 
use the dollar value limit of $100,000,000.

[[Page 57451]]

    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than December 4, 2002.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 4, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
(1) Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-3348)
(2) Deputy Project Manager, Judith-Anne Webster (202-205-3489)
(3) Deputy Project Manager, Eric Land (202-205-3349)

    The above persons are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For 
information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 17, 2002, 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC. All persons have the right to appear by counsel or in 
person, to present information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to 
appear at the public hearing should file a letter with the Secretary, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20436, not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) 
on September 20, 2002. In addition, persons appearing should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on September 24, 2002. Posthearing briefs should be 
filed with the Secretary by the close of business on October 22, 2002. 
In the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by 
the close of business on September 21, 2002, the hearing will be 
canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer 
or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-
1816) after September 22, 2002 to determine whether the hearing will be 
held.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the 
public hearing, interested persons are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the investigation. Written statements should be 
received by the close of business on October 22, 2002. Commercial or 
financial information which 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 for 
inspection by interested persons. The Commission may include such 
confidential business information in the report it sends to USTR. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the Commission's 
office in Washington, DC. The Commission's rules do not authorize 
filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic 
means. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on 
this matter can be obtained by contracting our TDD terminal on (202) 
205-1810.

    Issued: September 5, 2002.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-22920 Filed 9-09-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-M