[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 59312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23913]



[[Page 59312]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation Nos. TA-131-22 and TA-2104-2]


U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the 
Probable Economic Effect

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: September 16, 2002.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on August 30, 2002, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation Nos. TA-131-22 and TA-2104-2, U.S.-Central America Free 
Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the Probable Economic Effect, under 
section 131 of the Trade Act of 1974 and section 2104(b)(2) of the 
Trade Act of 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this 
investigation may be obtained from Christopher Melly, Project Leader 
(202-205-3461; [email protected]) or Dennis Luther, Deputy Project 
Leader (202-205-3497; [email protected]), 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; [email protected]). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.

Background

    As requested by the USTR, pursuant to section 131 of the Trade Act 
of 1974, in its report the Commission will provide advice as to the 
probable economic effect of duty-free treatment for imports of products 
of the five member countries of the Central American Economic 
Integration System (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and 
Nicaragua), (i) on industries in the United States producing like or 
directly competitive products, and (ii) on consumers. The 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 advice will be based on the 2002 Harmonized Tariff System 
nomenclature and 2001 trade data. The advice with respect to the 
removal of U.S. duties on imports from the Central American countries 
will assume that any known U.S. nontariff barrier will not be 
applicable to such imports. The Commission will note in its report any 
instance in which the continued application of a U.S. nontariff barrier 
to such imports would result in different advice with respect to the 
effect of the removal of the duty. In addition, pursuant to section 
2104(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 2002, the Commission will provide advice 
as to the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports of 
certain agricultural products of the Central American countries (a list 
of products was provided by the USTR) on (i) industries in the United 
States producing like or directly competitive products and (ii) the 
U.S. economy as a whole. The Commission expects to provide its report 
to the USTR by December 27, 2002.

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 October 8, 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., September 24, 2002. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 
copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., September 26, 2002; 
the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., 
October 18, 2002. In the event that, as of the close of business on 
September 24, 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 to the Commission (202-205-1806) after September 24, 2002, 
for information concerning 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 to the Commission for inspection by interested 
parties. The Commission may include such confidential business 
information in the report it sends 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 October 18, 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).

List of Subjects

     Central American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, and Nicaragua, tariffs, and imports.

    Issued: September 16, 2002.
    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-23913 Filed 9-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P