[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 50553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21455]



[[Page 50553]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-325]


The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints: 
Fourth Update

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of fourth update report and scheduling of public 
hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 14, 2003.
SUMMARY: The Commission has announced the schedule for its fourth 
update report in investigation No. 332-325, The Economic Effects of 
Significant U.S. Import Restraints, and has established deadlines for 
the submission of requests to appear at the hearing and for the filing 
of written submissions as set forth below. The investigation was 
requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in May 
1992. That request called for an initial investigation and subsequent 
updates, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Soamiely Andriamananjara, Project 
Leader (202) 205-3252 or Marinos Tsigas, Deputy Project Leader (202) 
708-3654, Office of Economics, 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. Hearing impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810. 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 these 
investigations may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket 
(EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://dockets.usitc.gov/eol/public.

Background

    The Commission instituted this investigation following receipt on 
May 15, 1992 of a request from the USTR. The request asked that the 
Commission conduct an investigation assessing the quantitative economic 
effects of significant U.S. import restraints on the U.S. economy, and 
prepare periodic update reports following the submission of the first 
report. The first report was delivered to the USTR in November 1993, 
the first update in December 1995, the second update in May 1999, and 
the third update in June 2002.
    In this fourth update report, the Commission will assess the 
economic effects of significant tariff and non-tariff U.S. import 
restraints on U.S. consumers, on the activities of U.S. firms, on the 
income and employment of U.S. workers, and on the net economic welfare 
of the United States. The assessment will not include import restraints 
resulting from final antidumping or countervailing duty investigations, 
section 337 and 406 investigations, or section 301 actions.
    The initial notice of institution of this investigation was 
published in the Federal Register of June 17, 1992 (57 FR 27063).

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 December 9, 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., November 14, 2003. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than close of business, November 17, 2003; 
the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is the close 
of business, January 10, 2004. In the event that, as of the close of 
business on November 14, 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) 205-2000 after November 20, 2003, 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 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 for inspection by interested parties. 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 January 10, 2004. All submissions should be addressed to 
the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St. 
SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize 
filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, 
except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the Commission's 
Rules (19 CFR 201.8) (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, 
ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf).
    Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 
(202) 205-1810. 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 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) at http://edis.usitc.gov.
    List of Subjects: U.S. Import Restraints, Nontariff measures (NTM), 
Tariffs, Imports.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: August 15, 2003.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-21455 Filed 8-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P