[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 34 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8107-8109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3804]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. Singapore FTA-103-22]


Certain Yarns and Fabrics FY 2009: Effect of Modification of 
U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on January 28, 2009, from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under authority 
delegated by the President and pursuant to section 103 of the United 
States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) Implementation Act, the 
U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted 
investigation No. Singapore FTA-103-22, Certain Yarns and Fabrics FY 
2009: Effect of Modification of U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement 
Rules of Origin.

DATES: May 19, 2009: Deadline for filing all written submissions.
    On or before August 28, 2009: Transmittal of report to the USTR.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing 
rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission 
Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions 
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record 
for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic 
docket (EDIS) at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leaders Jackie Jones (202-205-
3466 or [email protected]) or Laura V. Rodriguez (202-205-3499 or 
[email protected]) for information specific to this 
investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this 
investigation, 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]). Hearing-impaired 
individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the 
Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information 
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its 
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). 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.
    Background: Chapter 3 and Annex 3-A of the U.S.-Singapore FTA set 
out rules of origin for textiles and apparel for applying the tariff 
provisions of the USSFTA. These rules are reflected in General Note 25 
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). According to the request 
letter from USTR, U.S. negotiators have recently reached agreement in 
principle with representatives of the Government of Singapore to modify 
the USSFTA rules of origin for certain yarns and fabrics because it has 
been determined that producers in the United States and Singapore are 
not able to manufacture these products in commercial quantities in a 
timely manner. The products covered by this request are listed in the 
appendix that follows.
    Section 203(o)(2)(B)(i) of the United States-Singapore Free Trade 
Agreement Implementation Act (the Act) authorizes the President, 
subject to the consultation and layover requirements of section 103 of 
the Act, to proclaim such modifications to the rules of origin as are 
necessary to implement an agreement with Singapore pursuant to Article 
3.18.4(c) of the Agreement. One of the requirements set out in section 
103 of the Act is that the President obtain advice regarding the 
proposed action from the Commission. The request letter asks that the 
Commission provide advice on the probable effect of the proposed 
modification of the USSFTA rules of origin described above

[[Page 8108]]

on U.S. trade under the USSFTA, on total U.S. trade, and on domestic 
producers of the affected articles. The USTR asked that the Commission 
submit its advice to USTR by August 28, 2009, and that the Commission 
shortly thereafter issue a public version of the report with any 
confidential business information deleted.
    Additional information concerning the articles and the proposed 
modifications can be obtained by accessing the electronic version of 
this investigation notice at the Commission Internet site (http://www.usitc.gov). The USTR request letter may be obtained at http://www.usitc.gov/ind_econ_ana/research_ana/Ongoing_Inv/documents/103reqlwt.pdf. The current USSFTA rules of origin applicable to U.S. 
imports can be found in general note 25 of the HTS (see ``General 
Notes'' link at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm).
    Written Submissions: No public hearing is planned. However, 
interested parties are invited to submit written submissions concerning 
this investigation. All written submissions should be addressed to the 
Secretary at the earliest possible date, and should be received not 
later than 5:15 p.m., May 19, 2009. All written submissions must 
conform to 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 authorize filing 
submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means only to 
the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for 
Electronic Filing Procedures, http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf). Persons 
with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary 
(202-205-2000).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information must 
also conform to 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 Aconfidential@ or Anon-
confidential@ version, and that the confidential business information 
is clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, 
except for confidential business information, will be made available 
for inspection by interested parties.
    The Commission may include some or all of the confidential business 
information submitted in the course of this investigation 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.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: February 17, 2009.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.

Appendix

Proposals Under Paragraph 4 of Article 3.18 of the U.S.-Singapore Free 
Trade Agreement (USSFTA)

    The products covered by this request are:
    (1) Certain viscose rayon filament yarns, of the specifications 
detailed below, classified in subheading 5403.10.60 \1\ of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for use in 
apparel articles;
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    \1\ Singapore's original request indicated that the HTS product 
classification for this product was 5403.41.0000. The U.S. and 
Singapore have subsequently agreed that the correct product 
classification is 5403.10.60.
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    Specifications:

1. Viscose Filament Yarn; DTEX 166/40 Bright Centrifugal; Tenacity, 
cN/tex, min.--142.0; Elongation at rupture, %--18.0-24.0; Elongation 
at rupture variation factory, % max.--8.1; Twist direction--S.
2. Viscose Filament Yarn; DTEX 330/60 Bright Centrifugal; Tenacity, 
cN/tex, min.--142.0; Elongation at rupture, %--18.0-24.0; Elongation 
at rupture variation factor, % max.--8.1; Twist direction--S.

    (2) Certain fabrics, classified in subheading 5210.11 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), not of 
square construction, containing more than 70 warp ends and filling 
picks per square centimeter, of average yarn number exceeding 70 
metric, used in the production of women's and girls' blouses;
    (3) Certain combed compact yarns, of wool or fine animal hair, 
classified in subheadings 5107.10, 5107.20, or 5108.20 of (HTSUS), 
for use in apparel articles;
    (4) 100 percent cotton yarn-dyed woven flannel fabrics, made 
from 14 through 41 NM single ring-spun yarns, classified in 
5208.43.00 of the (HTSUS), of construction 2 X 1 twill weave, 
weighing 200 grams per square meter or less, for use in apparel 
articles excluding gloves;
    (5) Certain woven, 100 percent cotton, flannel fabrics, of the 
specifications detailed below, classified in the indicated 
subheadings of the (HTSUS), for use in shirts, trousers, nightwear, 
robes, dressing gowns, and woven underwear:
    Specifications:

    Fabric 1
    HTS Subheading: 5208.42.30.00
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 152.6 g/m \2\
    Width: 150 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 24.4 warp ends per centimeter; 15.7 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 40.1 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 20.3 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 39.4 metric
    Finish: Of yarns of different colors; napped on both sides, 
sanforized

    Fabric 2
    HTS Subheading: 5209.41.60.40
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 251 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 22.8 warp ends per centimeter; 17.3 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 40.1 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 24.1 metric
    Finish: Of yarns of different colors; napped on both sides, 
sanforized

    Fabric 3
    HTS Subheading: 5209.41.60.40
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 251 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 20.1 warp ends per centimeter; 16.5 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 36.6 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 27.07 metric, ring spun; filling: 10.16 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 23.3 metric
    Finish: Of yarns of different colors; napped on both sides, 
sanforized
    (6) Certain woven, 100 percent cotton, flannel fabrics, of the 
specifications detailed below, classified in the indicated 
subheadings of the (HTSUS), for use in shirts, trousers, nightwear, 
robes, dressing gowns, and woven underwear:
    Specifications:

    Fabric 1:
    HTS Subheading: 5208.32.30.40
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 152.6 g/m \2\
    Width: 150 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 24.4 warp ends per centimeter; 15.7 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 40.1 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 20.3 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 39.4 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 2:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 251 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 22.8 warp ends per centimeter; 15 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 37.8 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 24.1 metric

[[Page 8109]]

    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 3:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 203 g/m \2\
    Width: 150 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 20.5 warp ends per centimeter; 17.3 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 37.8 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 13.5 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 27.9 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 4:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 291.5 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 23.2 warp ends per centimeter; 15 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 38.2 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 27.07 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 20.1 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 5:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 291.5 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 26.8 warp ends per centimeter; 16.5 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 43.3 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 25.46 metric, ring spun; filling: 10.16 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 23.8 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 6:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 254 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 20 warp ends per centimeter; 14.5 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 34.5 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 28.8 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 20.1 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 7:
    HTS Subheading: 5209.41.60.40
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 251 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 22.8 warp ends per centimeter; 15 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 37.8 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 24.1 metric
    Finish: Gingham check or plaid of yarns of different colors; 
napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 8: Style 4245
    HTS Subheading: 5209.41.60.40
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 251 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 19.7 warp ends per centimeter; 11.8 filling picks 
per centimeter; total: 31.5 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 20.3 metric, ring spun; filling: 8.46 metric, 
open end spun; overall average yarn number: 20.1 metric
    Finish: Plaid of yarns of different colors; napped on both 
sides, sanforized

    (7) Certain woven, 100 percent cotton, napped fabrics, of the 
specifications detailed below, classified in subheading 
5209.31.60.50 of the (HTSUS), for use in shirts, trousers, 
nightwear, robes, dressing gowns, and woven underwear:
    Specifications:

    Fabric 1
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 291.5 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 24.41 warp ends per centimeter; 16.53 filling 
picks per centimeter; total: 40.94 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 25.4 metric, ring spun; filling: 10.16 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 14.04 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    Fabric 2
    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.60.50
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 305 g/m \2\
    Width: 160 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 24.41 warp ends per centimeter; 18.11 filling 
picks per centimeter; total: 42.52 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 25.4 metric, ring spun; filling: 10.16 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 13.95 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

    (8) Certain woven, 100 percent cotton, double-napped flannel 
fabric, of specifications detailed below, classified in HTSUS 
subheading 5209.31.6050, for use in shirts, trousers, nightwear, 
robes, dressing gowns, and woven underwear:
    Specifications:

    HTS Subheading: 5209.31.6050
    Fiber Content: 100% Cotton
    Weight: 203 g/m \2\
    Width: 150 centimeters cuttable
    Thread Count: 21 warp ends per centimeter; 18 filling picks per 
centimeter; total: 39 threads per square centimeter
    Yarn Number: Warp: 40.6 metric, ring spun; filling: 13.54 
metric, open end spun; overall average yarn number: 19.2 metric
    Finish: (Piece) dyed; napped on both sides, sanforized

[FR Doc. E9-3804 Filed 2-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P