[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 142 (Monday, July 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 37084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17800]
[[Page 37084]]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments Concerning Free Trade Agreement With the
Republic of Korea
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is assessing how
and to what extent the free trade agreement (FTA) between the United
States and the Republic of Korea (Korea) signed on June 30, 2007 makes
progress in achieving the applicable purposes, policies, priorities,
and objectives of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002
(``TPA Act'') (19 U.S.C. 3801 note) as set out in section 2102 of the
TPA Act and carries out the provisions of the May 10, 2007
Congressional-Executive Agreement on Trade Policy, http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/factsheets/2007/asset_upload_file127_11319.pdf (``May 10 Agreement''). The FTA has not yet entered into
effect. The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) seeks
public comment to assist the USTR in its assessment.
DATES: Written comments are due by noon, September 15, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet
at http://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions
please contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff
Committee, at (202) 395-3475.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning
written comments, contact Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade
Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-3475. All other questions should
be directed to Bryant Trick, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative
for Korea, at (202) 395-5070.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On February 2, 2006, after consulting with relevant Congressional
committees and the Congressional Oversight Group, the USTR notified
Congress of the President's intent to initiate free trade agreement
negotiations with Korea, identified specific objectives for the
negotiations, and solicited comment from interested persons on matters
relevant to the FTA. 71 FR 6820. On April 1, 2007, the President
notified Congress of his intent to enter into an FTA with Korea and
representatives of the two governments signed the FTA on June 30, 2007.
The full text of the FTA is available at http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/korus-fta/final-text.
To assist the USTR in assessing how and to what extent the FTA
makes progress in achieving the applicable purposes, policies,
priorities, and objectives of the TPA Act as set out in Section 2102 of
the TPA Act, and carries out the provisions of the May 10 Agreement,
the Chairman of the TPSC invites interested persons to provide written
comments on any provision or aspect of the FTA or any other matter
relevant to the FTA. In particular, the TPSC seeks comments regarding:
(1) How implementation of the FTA will affect trade between Korea
and the United States, in general and with respect to particular goods
or services;
(2) Economic costs and benefits to U.S. workers, farmers, ranchers,
businesses and consumers of removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers
affecting trade between the United States and Korea; and
(3) Any additional steps that one or both governments should take
to address specific concerns regarding the FTA and the bilateral trade
and investment relationship.
Interested persons may submit written comments by noon, September
15, 2009 (see requirements for submission below). Written comments
should be submitted in English and must state clearly the position
taken and describe with particularity the supporting rationale.
Comments addressing specific aspects of the FTA should include
references to relevant provisions of the signed text whenever possible
(see above for a link to the FTA text). The first page of written
comments must specify the subject matter, including, as applicable, the
product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects
(such as investment, intellectual property, and/or government
procurement).
Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions
To ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and consideration
of comments, USTR has arranged to accept on-line submissions via http://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via http://www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2009-0020 on the home
page and click ``go''. The site will provide a search-results page
listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to
this notice by selecting ``Notice'' under ``Document Type'' on the left
side of the search-results page, and click on the link entitled ``Send
a Comment or Submission.'' (For further information on using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on
the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This Site'' on the left side
of the home page.)
The http://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of
making submissions by filling in a ``General Comments'' field, or by
attaching a document. We expect that most submissions will be provided
in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to
type ``See attached'' in the ``General Comments'' field.
Submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) are
preferred. If you use an application other than those two, please
identify the application in your submission. For any comments submitted
electronically containing business confidential information, the file
name of the business confidential version should begin with the
characters ``BC''. Any page containing business confidential
information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top
of that page. If you file comments containing business confidential
information you must also submit a public version of the comments. The
file name of the public version should begin with the character ``P''.
The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed by the name of the person or
entity submitting the comments. If you submit comments that contain no
business confidential information, the file name should begin with the
character ``P'', followed by the name of the person or entity
submitting the comments. Electronic submissions should not attach
separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a
cover letter should be included in the comments you submit. Similarly,
to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other
attachments to a submission in the same file as the submission itself
and not as separate files.
We strongly urge submitters to use electronic filing. If an on-line
submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with
Ms. Blue prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Ms.
Blue may be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information concerning
the Office of the United States Trade Representative may be obtained by
accessing its Internet Web site (http://www.ustr.gov).
Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. E9-17800 Filed 7-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W9-P