[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 40779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13843]


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

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Update on Potential Withdrawal of Tariff Concessions and Increase 
in Duties in Response to European Union (EU) Enlargement

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice for the public on potential withdrawal of tariff 
concessions and increase in duties.

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

    Background: In Federal Register Notice 04-20543, dated September 
10, 2004, and Federal Register Notice 04-21762, dated September 28, 
2004, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative sought comments 
concerning a list of goods for which tariff concessions maybe withdrawn 
and duties maybe increased in the event the United States cannot reach 
agreement with the European Union (EU) for adequate compensation owed 
under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules as a result of EU 
enlargement. The Trade Policy Subcommittee continue store view the 
public comments that it has received as a result of these 
FederalRegister notices. Pursuant to several extensions in the WTO, the 
U.S. Government would have had to notify the WTO by July 2, 2005 of its 
rights to withdrawal substantially equivalent concessions under GATT 
1994 Article XXVIII:3 inrelation to the issue of EU enlargement. The 
European Communities has subsequently agreed to the extension of the 
rights of the United States' and other interested WTO Members' to 
withdraw substantially equivalent concessions for an additional six 
months, until February 1, 2006. The United States Government continues 
to seek an immediate negotiated resolution of the enlargement issue, 
and retains the right, in this period, to withdraw substantially 
equivalent concessions. The United States would notify the World Trade 
Organization at least 30 days before it with drew concessions on 
substantially equivalent concessions. It would also provide 
notification to the public of the list of goods affected at such time. 
The public is encouraged to call Laurie Molnar, Director for European 
and Mediterranean Trade Issues, Office of Europe and the Mediterranean, 
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative at (202) 395-3320, for periodic 
updates on the status of these issues.

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 05-13843 Filed 7-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W5-P