[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 48974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16542]



[[Page 48974]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-472]


Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction of U.S. Tariffs: Update 
of Advice for Certain Items

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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DATES: Effective July 29, 2005.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on July 29, 2005, from the U.S. 
Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation 
No. 332-472, Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction of U.S. Tariffs: 
Update of Advice for Certain Items, under section 332(g) of the Tariff 
Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
    Background: In August 2002, at the request of the USTR, the 
Commission provided advice as to the probable economic effect of 
implementing certain tariff reduction scenarios (Inv. No. 332-440, 
Probable Economic Effect of the Reduction or Elimination of U.S. 
Tariffs). The advice was based on 2002 U.S. Harmonized Tariff System 
(HTS) nomenclature and 2000 trade data. In his letter of July 29, 2005, 
the USTR noted that U.S. imports of certain products have risen 
significantly since 2000, and directed that the Commission update its 
advice on products that have experienced a substantial increase in 
imports as defined by certain criteria.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide advice as to 
the probable economic effect on industries producing like or directly 
competing articles and on consumers of reducing U.S. tariffs by 75 
percent on dutiable imports from all U.S. trading partners for products 
(8-digit HTS items) that meet all of the following criteria:
     At least a 50-percent increase in the value of dutiable 
imports from 2000-2004;
     At least a $10 million increase in the value of dutiable 
imports from 2000-2004;
     Dutiable imports were valued at more than $500,000 in 
2000;
     A 2004 ad valorem equivalent U.S. tariff on dutiable 
imports of at least 5 percent; and
     The Commission's 2002 advice for the item did not indicate 
a substantial adverse effect on U.S. industry as a result of U.S. 
tariff elimination.
    The USTR requested that the Commission base its advice on 2005 HTS 
nomenclature and 2004 trade data. He also asked that the advice include 
a concordance to the 1996 Harmonized System nomenclature that is being 
used in the WTO negotiations. In addition, he requested that the report 
identify the five largest sources of dutiable imports (including import 
values) for each item analyzed under the criteria identified above. The 
USTR also asked that the Commission provide supplementary analysis that 
examines factors affecting trade and the competitive position of U.S. 
industry if, in conducting its analysis based on the more recent data, 
the Commission identifies items for which the 75 percent tariff 
reduction scenario indicates a greater adverse effect on U.S. industry 
than was indicated for those items under the tariff elimination 
scenario presented in the 2002 report.
    As requested, the Commission will transmit its report by no later 
than December 13, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from George S. Serletis, Project Leader ((202) 205-3315 or 
[email protected]), Laura A. Polly, Deputy Project Leader 
((202) 205-3408 or [email protected]), or Robert Carr, Deputy 
Project Leader ((202) 205-3405 or [email protected]), Office of 
Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. 
The media should contact Peg O'Laughlin, Public Affairs Officer ((202) 
205-1819 or [email protected]). For information on legal 
aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office 
of General Counsel ((202) 205-3091 or [email protected]). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810. 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-ONLINE) at http://edis.usitc.gov/hvwebex.
    Written Submissions: Interested persons are invited to submit 
written statements concerning the investigation. All submissions should 
be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, and should be 
received no later than the close of business on September 16, 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, http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/pubs/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information 
(CBI) 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 ``non-confidential'' version, and that the 
confidential business information be clearly identified by means of 
brackets. All written submissions, except for CBI, 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 any CBI submitted in the report it sends to the USTR. Because 
the USTR has indicated that portions of the Commission's report will be 
classified as ``confidential'' under Executive Order 12958 and that it 
also considers the Commission's report to be an inter-agency memorandum 
that will contain pre-decisional advice and be subject to the 
deliberative process privilege, the Commission does not plan to publish 
a public version of its report. Should the Commission later publish a 
public version, any CBI received by the Commission in this 
investigation and used in preparing the report will not be published 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: August 16, 2005.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-16542 Filed 8-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P