[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75490-75491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32163]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Determination with Respect to Modification of Tariff 
Rate Quotas on the Import of Certain Worsted Wool Fabrics

AGENCY: Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

ACTION: The Department has determined that no modification be made to 
the 2004 tariff rate quotas.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce has determined that the 2004 
limitation on the quantity of imports of worsted wool fabrics that may 
be imported under the tariff rate quotas established by the Trade and 
Development Act of 2000 (TDA 2000) as amended by the Trade Act of 2002 
should not be modified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-4058.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Title V of the TDA 2000 created two tariff rate quotas (TRQs), 
providing for temporary reductions for three years in the import duties 
on limited quantities of two categories of worsted wool fabrics 
suitable for use in making suits, suit-type jackets, or trousers: (1) 
for worsted wool fabric with average fiber diameters greater than 18.5 
microns (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) heading 
9902.51.11); and (2) for worsted wool fabric with average fiber 
diameters of 18.5 microns or less (HTS heading 9902.51.12).
    On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law the Trade Act of 
2002, which includes several amendments to Title V of the TDA 2000. 
These include the extension of the program through 2005; the reduction 
of the in-quota duty rate on HTS 9902.51.12 (average fiber diameter 
18.5 microns or less) from 6 percent to zero, effective for goods 
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 
January 1, 2002; and an increase in the 2003 through 2005 TRQ levels to 
3,500,000 square meters for HTS 9902.51.12 and to 4,500,000 square 
meters for HTS 9902.51.11. Both of these limitations may be modified by 
the President, not to exceed 1,000,000 square meters per year for each 
tariff rate quota.
    The TDA 2000 requires the annual consideration of requests by U.S. 
manufacturers of men's or boys' worsted wool suits, suit-type jackets 
and trousers for modification of the limitation on the quantity of 
fabric that may be imported under the tariff rate quotas, and grants 
the President the authority to proclaim modifications to the 
limitations. In determining whether to modify the limitations, 
specified U.S. market conditions with respect to worsted wool fabric 
and worsted wool apparel must be considered.
    On January 22, 2001, the Department published regulations 
establishing procedures for considering requests for modification of 
the limitations (15 CFR 340) in the Federal Register. (See 66 FR 6459.) 
The regulations provide that not more than 30 days following the close 
of the comment period, the Department will determine whether the 
limitations on the quantity of imports under the tariff rate quotas 
should be modified and recommend to the President that appropriate 
modifications be made.
    On September 26, 2003, the Department published a notice in the 
Federal Register soliciting requests for modification of the 2004 
tariff rate quota limitations. (See 68 FR 55591.) The Department 
received one such request, from Hartmarx Corporation. The request is 
for the maximum increase (1,000,000 square meters) in each of the two 
tariff rate quota limitations (HTS 9902.51.11 and HTS 9902.51.12).

[[Page 75491]]

    On November 4, 2003, the Department solicited comments on the 
request for a period of 20 days. (See 68 FR 62432.) The Department 
received comments from seven companies/trade associations. One of the 
respondents, Southwick Clothing LLC, supported the request for 
modification, and six of the respondents, Burlington Industries, Cleyn 
& Tinker, the National Textile Association, Victor Forstmann, Inc., 
Warren of Stafford, and the Association of Georgia's Textile, Carpet, 
and Consumer Products Manufacturers, opposed the request for 
modification.
    After reviewing the request, the comments received, and other 
information obtained, including a report prepared by the U.S. 
International Trade Commission, and after considering the specific 
market conditions set forth in the TDA 2000, the Department determined 
that the 2004 limitations on the quantity of imports of worsted wool 
fabrics that may be imported subject to the tariff rate quotas 
established by the TDA 2000 as amended by the Trade Act of 2002 should 
not be modified.

    Dated: December 24, 2003.
D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles, Apparel and Consumer 
Goods Industries
[FR Doc. 03-32163 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S