[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7968-7969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2924]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-466]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences, 2004 Review

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 7, 2005 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. 332-466, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2004 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 developing 
countries under the GSP for the following HTS subheadings: 0804.10.20, 
0804.10.40, 0804.10.60, 0804.10.80, 2008.99.25, 5702.51.20, 5702.91.30, 
5702.92.0010, 5702.99.1010, 5703.10.0020, 5703.20.10, 5703.30.0020, and 
7320.10.60. 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 by the USTR, pursuant to 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 
3904.61.00.
    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 the 
Philippines for HTS subheading 3823.19.20; for Argentina for HTS 
subheadings 4107.19.50 and 4107.92.80; and for Turkey for HTS 
subheading 6802.91.25. 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 $115,000,000.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than May 9, 2005.

DATES: Effective Date: February 9, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Project Leader, Cynthia B. Foreso ((202) 205-3348 or 
[email protected]).
    Deputy Project Leader, 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 March 23, 2005, at 
the United States 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

[[Page 7969]]

March 4, 2005, in accordance with the requirements in the 
``Submissions'' section below. In the event that no requests to appear 
at the hearing are received by the close of business on March 4, 2005, 
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 4, 2005 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 or briefs concerning these investigations. 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. Any prehearing statements or briefs should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., March 7, 2005; the deadline for filing posthearing 
statements or briefs is 5:15 p.m., March 30, 2005. 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). Section 
201.8 of the rules requires 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 (see the following 
paragraph for further information regarding confidential business 
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 rules (see Handbook for 
Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). 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 201.6 of the rules requires that the 
cover of the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to 
whether they are the ``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, 
and that the confidential business information be clearly identified by 
means of brackets. 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 some or all of the confidential business 
information submitted in the course of these investigations in the 
report it sends to the USTR and the President. As requested by the 
USTR, the Commission will publish a public version of the report. 
However, in the public version, the Commission will not publish 
confidential business information in a manner that would reveal the 
operations of the firm supplying the information.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Secretary at 
(202) 205-2000.

    Issued: February 10, 2005.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-2924 Filed 2-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P