[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8680-8681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4112]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-459]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences, 2003 Review

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: February 19, 2004.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 13, 2004 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. 332-459, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2003 Review.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this 
investigation may be obtained from Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-3348 or 
[email protected]) or Eric Land (202-205-3349 or [email protected]), Office 
of Industries, United States International Trade Commission, 
Washington, DC 20436.

[[Page 8681]]

For information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or 
[email protected]). General information concerning the Commission may 
also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
    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 HTS subheadings 8708.92.50 and 8714.92.10. 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.
    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 from eligibility for duty free treatment under 
the GSP of HTS subheadings 2917.12.10, 3901.10.00 (pt.), 3901.20.00 
(pt.), 3907.60.0010, and 3920.62.00.
    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 HTS subheading 4107.11.80; for Thailand for HTS subheading 
7615.19.30; and for Indonesia for HTS subheading 8525.40.80.
    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 $110,000,000.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than May 13, 2004.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on March 31, 2004, at 
the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be 
filed with the Secretary, no later than 5:15 p.m., March 4, 2004 in 
accordance with the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section below. 
In the event that, as of the close of business on March 4, 2004, 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 (202-205-2000) after March 4, 
2004, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
    Statements and Briefs: In lieu of or in addition to participating 
in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written 
statements or briefs concerning the investigation in accordance with 
the requirements in the ``Submissions'' section below. Any prehearing 
briefs or statements should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 5. 
2004; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 
p.m., April 2, 2004.
    Submissions: All written submissions including requests to appear 
at the hearing, statements, and briefs, should be addressed to the 
Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20436. All written submissions must conform with the 
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8); any submissions that contain confidential 
business information must also conform with the requirements of section 
201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
201.6). Section 201.8 of the rules require that a signed original (or a 
copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each 
document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the 
document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be 
filed, in which the confidential information must be deleted. Section 
201.6 of the rules require that the cover of the document and the 
individual pages clearly be marked as to whether they are the 
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the 
confidential business information be clearly identified by means of 
brackets.
    The Commission may include confidential business information 
submitted in the course of this investigation in the report to the 
USTR. All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
parties. In the public version of the report, however, the Commission 
will not publish confidential business information in a manner that 
could reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.
    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). Persons with questions 
regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000 
or [email protected].)
    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. 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.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: February 19. 2004.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-4112 Filed 2-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P