[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2953-2954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00254]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Department of Commerce Advisory Council on Trade Enforcement 
and Compliance

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the U.S. Department of Commerce 
Advisory Council on Trade Enforcement and Compliance.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), having determined that 
it is in the public interest in connection with the performance of 
duties imposed on the Department of Commerce by law, and with the 
concurrence of the General Services Administration, announces 
establishment of the U.S. Department of Commerce Advisory Council on 
Trade Enforcement and Compliance (ACTEC). The ACTEC shall advise the 
Secretary on laws and government policies that deal with trade 
enforcement; identify

[[Page 2954]]

and recommend programs, policies, and actions to help the Department in 
its efforts to ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with their 
trade agreement commitments; and recommend ways that the Department's 
trade enforcement and compliance policies and programs can better 
support a strong trade and manufacturing agenda and enhance the 
commercial competitiveness of the United States. The ACTEC shall act as 
a liaison with the stakeholders represented by the membership, and 
shall provide a forum for stakeholder input regarding current and 
emerging issues in trade enforcement and compliance matters. The 
Department of Commerce will publish a notice in January soliciting 
nominations for membership on the ACTEC.

DATES: Effective January 10, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meredith Rutherford, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 3089, Washington, DC 
20230; telephone: 202 482 6199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

    The ACTEC is established in accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., to advise 
the Secretary on matters relating to relating to the Department's 
statutory missions to enforce U.S. trade remedy laws and seek foreign 
government compliance with trade agreements. The Department affirms 
that the creation of the ACTEC is necessary and in the public interest. 
The Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, shall serve as the Executive Director of the ACTEC. The 
Executive Director shall designate both the Designated Federal Officer 
(DFO) and a Secondary DFO from among the employees of the International 
Trade Administration's Enforcement and Compliance unit. The DFO serves 
as the ACTEC Executive Secretary.
    The ACTEC shall advise the Secretary on laws and government 
policies that deal with trade enforcement; identify and recommend 
programs, policies, and actions to help the Department in its efforts 
to ensure that U.S. trading partners comply with their trade agreement 
commitments; and recommend ways that the Department's enforcement and 
compliance activities can better support a strong trade and 
manufacturing agenda and advance the commercial competitiveness of U.S. 
firms and workers.
    The ACTEC shall act as a liaison with the stakeholders represented 
by the membership, and shall provide a forum for stakeholders on 
current and emerging issues concerning trade enforcement and compliance 
matters.
    The ACTEC shall report to the Secretary on its activities and 
recommendations regarding the Department's trade enforcement and 
compliance efforts. In creating its reports, the ACTEC should survey 
and evaluate the trade enforcement and compliance concerns of its 
stakeholders, should identify and examine specific trade problems that 
require attention, and should examine the needs in this area to inform 
the ACTEC's efforts. The ACTEC should recommend specific solutions to 
the problems and needs it identifies.

II. Structure, Membership, and Operation

    The ACTEC shall consist of no more than twenty members appointed by 
the Secretary. Members shall represent U.S. entities involved in and 
significantly affected by imports and/or those that heavily export to, 
or operate in, countries with which the United States has trade 
agreements.
    All members must be U.S. Nationals and shall be selected based on 
their ability to carry out the objectives of the ACTEC, in accordance 
with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines, in a manner that 
ensures the ACTEC is balanced in terms of points of view, demographics, 
industry sector, geography of both production infrastructure and 
product inputs, and company size. Members shall also represent a broad 
range of products and services and shall be drawn from large, medium, 
and small enterprises, private sector organizations, and other 
entities, such as, non-governmental organizations, associations, and 
economic development organizations. Members shall serve in a 
representative capacity, representing the views and interests of their 
sponsoring entities and those of their particular industrial and 
regional sector (as applicable); they are, therefore, not Special 
Government Employees. Appointments to the ACTEC shall be made without 
regard to political affiliation.
    Members serve for a term of two years and will serve at the 
pleasure of the Secretary. The Secretary may at his/her discretion 
reappoint any member to an additional term or terms, provided that the 
member proves to work effectively on the ACTEC and his/her knowledge 
and advice are still needed.
    The Secretary shall designate the ACTEC chair and vice chair or 
vice chairs from among the members of the ACTEC. The Executive Director 
may establish subcommittees from among the ACTEC members, in order to 
perform specific functions within the jurisdiction of the ACTEC, 
subject to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 
the FACA implementing regulations, and applicable Department of 
Commerce guidance. Subcommittees must report back to the parent 
committee and do not provide advice or work product directly to the 
Secretary.

III. Compensation

    Members will not be compensated for their services or reimbursed 
for their travel expenses.

    Dated: January 4, 2017.
Steven Presing,
Executive Director for Trade Agreements Policy and Negotiations.
[FR Doc. 2017-00254 Filed 1-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P