[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79149-79150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32709]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Inv. Nos. TA-131-24 and TA-2104-04]


U.S.-Australia 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: December 20, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on December 6, 2002, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation Nos. TA-131-24 and TA-2104-04, U.S.-Australia 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 David Lundy, Project Leader (202-
205-3439; [email protected]), or Laura Polly, Deputy Project Leader (202-
205-3408; [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. General 
information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing 
its internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for these 
investigations may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket 
(EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://dockets.usitc.gov/eol/public.

[[Page 79150]]

    Background: As requested by the USTR pursuant to section 131 of the 
Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2151), in its report the Commission will 
provide advice as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-
free treatment for imports of products of Australia (i) on industries 
in the United States producing like or directly competitive products, 
and (ii) on consumers. The import analysis will consider each article 
in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the 
United States for which U.S. 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 2001 trade data. The advice with respect to the 
removal of U.S. duties on imports from Australia will assume that any 
known U.S. non-tariff 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. non-tariff barrier to such imports 
would result in different advice with respect to the effect of the 
removal of the duty.
    As also requested, pursuant to section 2104(b)(2) of the Trade Act 
of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804(b)(2)), the Commission will provide advice as 
to the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports of 
certain agricultural products of Australia on (i) industries in the 
United States producing the product concerned and (ii) the U.S. economy 
as a whole.
    USTR indicated that the Commission's report will be classified and 
considered to be an inter-agency memorandum containing pre-decisional 
advice and subject to the deliberative process privilege. The 
Commission expects to provide its report to USTR by June 6, 2003.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
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 
February 6, 2003. 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., January 21, 2003. Any 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., January 23, 2003; the deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., February 13, 2003. In the event 
that, as of the close of business on January 21, 2003, 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 January 21, 2003, 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 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 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 February 13, 2003. 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

    Australia, tariffs and imports.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: December 23, 2002.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-32709 Filed 12-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P