[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 45 (Friday, March 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11143-11144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5400]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-451]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences, 2002 Review

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 20, 2003, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-451, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2002 Review.
    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 effect 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: 0406.20.51, 0710.22.37, 
0710.22.40, 0710.30.00, 0710.80.97 (pt.), 0710.80.9730, 0710.90.91, 
0804.20.80, 1508.10.00, 1508.90.00, 1604.13.20, 1604.13.30, 2001.90.20, 
2008.19.20, 2009.31.6020, 2009.39.6020, 2903.69.70 (pts.), 2917.12.10, 
2921.43.15, 2921.43.80 (pt.), 2922.42.10, 7202.93.00 (pt.), 
8108.20.0010, 8528.12.3224, 8528.12.3235, 8528.12.3250, and 8528.21.70. 
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 such benefits by virtue 
of the competitive need limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 
1974 Act.

[[Page 11144]]

    As requested by the USTR, in accordance with section 503(a)(1)(B), 
503(e) and 131(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 (1974 Act), and under 
authority delegated by the President, delegated to the USTR by sections 
4(c) and 8(c) of Executive Order 11846 of March 31, 1975, 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 the elimination of U.S. import duties for countries 
designated as least-developed beneficiary developing countries in 
general note 4(b)(i) of the HTS for the following HTS subheadings: 
8211.91.20, 8215.99.01, 8215.99.10, and 8215.99.30. In providing its 
advice on these articles, the USTR asked that the Commission assume 
that the benefits of the GSP would apply to imports that would be 
normally excluded from receiving such benefits by virtue of the 
competitive need limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 
Act (an exemption from the application of the competitive need limits 
for the least-developed beneficiary developing countries is provided 
for in section 503(c)(2)(D) of the 1974 Act).
    As requested under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, 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 the removal of Russia from eligibility for duty-free 
treatment under the GSP for HTS subheading 8108.90.60.
    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 1508.10.00, 2009.31.6020, and 2009.39.6020; for Brazil for 
2909.19.14, 7202.93.00, 8413.30.10, and 8708.99.67; for India for 
7418.19.10, 7418.19.50, 9405.50.20, 9405.50.30, and 9405.50.40; for 
Kazakhstan for 7202.50.00 and 8108.20.0010; for Morocco for HTS 
subheadings 1604.13.20, 1604.13.30, and 2001.90.20; for Thailand for 
8414.51.00 (pt.), 8528.12.28, and 8544.30.00; and for Turkey for 
0813.10.00, and 7113.19.29.
    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 $105,000,000.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than May 21, 2003.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 27, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (1) Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso 
(202-205-3348 or [email protected]).
    (2) Deputy Project Manager, Eric Land (202-205-3349 or 
[email protected]). 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 or [email protected].
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on April 8, 2003, 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 March 17, 2003. In addition, persons appearing should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on March 20, 2003. Posthearing briefs should be filed 
with the Secretary by the close of business on April 14, 2003. In the 
event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the 
close of business on March 19, 2003, 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 March 19, 2003, 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 April 14, 2003. 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, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the 
Commission's rules, as amended, 67 FR 68036 (Nov. 8, 2002). The public 
record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's 
electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired 
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: March 3, 2003.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 03-5400 Filed 3-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P