[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65543-65544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18846]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-478]


U.S.-China Trade: Implications of U.S.-Asia-Pacific Trade and 
Investment Trends

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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DATES: Effective Date: November 1, 2006.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request letter on October 2, 2006, from 
the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives 
(Committee) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
(332(g)), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) 
instituted investigation No. 332-478, U.S.-China Trade: Implications of 
U.S.-Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends.
    Background: In its October 2, 2006 letter, the Committee requested 
that the Commission prepare three reports with respect to U.S.-China 
trade, with the first report to be delivered 12 months after receipt of 
the letter and the second and third reports, 18 and 24 months after 
receipt of the letter, respectively. This notice announces institution 
of the first of three investigations for the purpose of preparing the 
requested reports. The Commission will issue separate notices relating 
to the second and third reports at a later date (see below).
    As requested by the Committee, in its first report the Commission 
will analyze the principal trends and patterns in trade and foreign 
direct investment (FDI) between Asia-Pacific countries and the United 
States and their implications for the U.S.-China trade relationship. 
The report will include: (1) A discussion of the main factors 
influencing these trends; (2) an in-depth examination of the industries 
that have had a major effect on trade and investment patterns in recent 
years; and (3), if required, formal quantitative analyses that may help 
explain these trends and provide an assessment of the reliability of 
the data used in each analysis. The report will also review the 
relationship between international trade and FDI, the trade and 
investment policies in the major countries of the region, and their 
effect on economic activity both on a global scale and within the Asian 
and Pacific region. The Commission will provide its first report to the 
Committee by October 2, 2007.
    The Committee also directed that the Commission provide two other 
reports on U.S.-China trade. For the second report, the Committee asked 
the Commission to investigate the driving factors behind the rapid 
growth in U.S.-China trade. The Commission expects to initiate the 
investigation relating to this report in April 2007 and to provide its 
report to the Committee by April 2, 2008.
    For the third report, the Committee asked the Commission to provide 
an in-depth examination of China's integration with the global economy 
through processing trade and FDI, and its implications for U.S.-China 
trade and investment. The Commission expects to initiate the 
investigation relating to this report in October 2007 and to provide 
its report to the Committee by October 2, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project leaders Nannette Christ (202-
205-3263 or [email protected]) or Dennis Fravel (202-205-3404 
or [email protected]) for information specific to this 
investigation (the first report). For information on the legal aspects 
of these investigations, contact William Gearhart of the Commission's 
Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or 
[email protected]). The media should contact Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819 or 
[email protected]).

[[Page 65544]]

    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this first 
investigation and report will be held at the U.S. International Trade 
Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC beginning at 
9:30 a.m. on March 8, 2007. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, no later than 5:15 p.m., February 
22, 2007, in accordance with the requirements in the ``Submissions'' 
section below.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written 
statements or briefs concerning this investigation. 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 pre-hearing briefs or statements should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., February 22, 2007; the deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., March 22, 2007. 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 requires that a signed original (or a copy so designated) and 
fourteen (14) copies of each document be filed. In the event that 
confidential treatment of a 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 rule section 201.8 
(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]).
    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 require 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 confidential business information, will be made available 
for inspection by interested parties.
    In its request letter, the Committee stated that it intends to make 
the Commission's report available to the public in its entirety, and 
asked that the Commission not include any confidential business 
information or national security classified information in the reports 
that the Commission sends to the Committee. Any confidential business 
information received by the Commission in this investigation and used 
in preparing this report will not be published in a manner that would 
reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.
    General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained 
at http://www.usitc.gov. The public record for this investigation may 
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm. 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.

    Issued: November 2, 2006.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E6-18846 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P