[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 23196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9339]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Determination of the Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements to Apply a Textile Safeguard Measure on Imports of Certain 
Cotton Socks from Honduras

April 23, 2008.
AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements 
(``the Committee'').

ACTION: Notice.

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EFFECTIVE DATE:  April 29, 2008.
SUMMARY: The Committee has determined to apply a textile safeguard 
measure on imports of Honduran origin cotton socks classifiable under 
subheading 9115.95 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (``HTSUS'').

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Title III, Subtitle B, Section 321 through Section 
328 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free 
Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'' or the ``Agreement'') Implementation 
Act; Proclamation 7987 of February 28, 2006, paragraph (6); 
Proclamation 8228 of March 28, 2008, paragraph (4); Article 3.23 of 
the Agreement.
    Notice: On April 25, 2008, the Committee determined to apply a 
textile safeguard measure on imports of certain cotton socks of 
Honduras. The relief provided by the safeguard measure applies to 
imports entering, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption during 
the period July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.

BACKGROUND:

    On August 21, 2007, the Committee initiated a safeguard proceeding 
to determine whether imports of Honduran cotton, wool, and man-made 
fiber socks (merged Category 332/432 and 632 part) are causing serious 
damage, or actual threat thereof, to the U.S. industry producing socks, 
(72 FR 46611, August 21, 2007). The initiation of the safeguard 
proceeding commenced a 30-day period during which interested parties 
and stakeholders were invited to submit comments. Based on the comments 
received and information available to the Committee, the Committee 
determined that imports of Honduran origin cotton socks (Category 332) 
were causing serious damage, or actual threat thereof, and therefore, 
the Committee intended to apply a textile safeguard measure with 
respect to such goods. In accordance with section 4 of the Committee's 
Procedures for considering action under the CAFTA-DR textile and 
apparel safeguard, (71 FR 25157, April 28, 2006), on January 18, 2008, 
the United States provided written notice to the Government of Honduras 
indicating its intent to apply a textile safeguard measure on imports 
of Honduran origin cotton socks (73 FR 4542, January 25, 2008). The 
Committee noted that it was not at that time making a determination 
regarding whether to apply a safeguard measure with respect to wool and 
man-made fiber socks (Categories 432 and 632 Part, respectively), that 
were part of the original safeguards inquiry.
    In accordance with Article 3.23.4 of the Agreement, following 
receipt of written notice by the United States of its intent to apply a 
safeguard measure, the Government of Honduras requested consultations. 
Consultations between the Governments of Honduras and the United States 
were held for 60 days, and by agreement of the Parties, were continued 
for an additional 30 day period.
    The Committee has determined, pursuant to section 322(a) of the 
CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, that cotton socks of Honduras classifiable 
in subheading 6115.95 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTS) are being imported into the United States in such 
increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause serious 
damage to the domestic industry producing like or directly competitive 
cotton socks. The Committee has further decided, pursuant to section 
322(b) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, to provide relief from the 
imports that are the subject of this determination, in the form of a 
duty in the amount of 5 percent ad valorem to all CAFTA-DR originating 
cotton socks of Honduras classifiable in subheading 6115.95 of the 
HTSUS that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption 
during the period July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. The 5 percent 
ad valorem duty shall be applicable on the full value of the entered 
goods, regardless of the value of any United States content of such 
goods.
    The Committee further notes that, in the course of consultations, 
the Government of Honduras agreed that it will not seek compensation or 
take any tariff action under Article 3.23.6 of the Agreement with 
respect to this safeguard measure.
    The Committee has determined that the actions described above will 
remedy the serious damage and facilitate efforts by the domestic 
industry to make a positive adjustment to import competition. As 
provided in paragraph (5) of Proclamation 8228 of March 28, 2008, the 
United States Trade Representative will modify the HTS to reflect this 
determination.

R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. E8-9339 Filed 4-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-S