[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