[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45264-45266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20758]



[[Page 45264]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Upcoming Secretary-Led International Trade Administration Multi-
Sector Trade Mission to China

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is announcing an additional upcoming trade mission 
that will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. The mission 
is:

 Secretary-Led Multi-Sector Trade Mission to China--mid-
November 2017

    A summary of the mission is found below. Application information 
and more detailed mission information, including the commercial setting 
and sector information, can be found at the trade mission Web site: 
http://export.gov/trademissions.
    For each mission, recruitment will be conducted in an open and 
public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting 
on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and other Internet Web sites, press releases to general 
and trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade 
associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry 
meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows.

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for This 
Mission

    An applicant must sign and submit a completed application and 
supplemental application materials, including adequate information on 
the represented company's products and/or services, primary market 
objectives, and goals for participation. If an incomplete application 
form is submitted or the information and material submitted does not 
demonstrate how the applicant satisfies the participation criteria, the 
Department of Commerce may reject the application, request additional 
information, or take the lack of information into account when 
evaluating the application.
    Each applicant must:
     Identify whether the products and services it seeks to 
export through the mission are either produced in the United States, 
or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 
percent U.S. content. In cases where the U.S. content does not exceed 
50 percent, especially where the applicant intends to pursue investment 
in major project opportunities, the following factors may be considered 
in determining whether the applicant's participation in the Mission is 
in the U.S. national interest:
    [cir] U.S. materials and equipment content;
    [cir] U.S. labor content;
    [cir] Contribution to the U.S. technology base, including conduct 
of research and development in the United States;
    [cir] Repatriation of profits to the U.S. economy;
    [cir] Potential for follow-on business that would benefit the U.S. 
economy;
     Certify that the export of their products and services is 
in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations;
     Certify that it has identified to the Department of 
Commerce any business matter pending before any bureau or office in the 
Departments of Commerce;
     Certify that it has identified any pending litigation 
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that 
involves the Departments of Commerce; and
     Certify that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will 
not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a 
company's/participant's involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain 
and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials.
    In the case of a trade association, the applicant must certify that 
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association can 
make the above certifications.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for This Mission

    Selection will be based on the following criteria, listed in 
decreasing order of importance:
     Suitability of the company's (or in the case of a trade 
association, represented company's) products or services to the Chinese 
market and the likelihood of increased exports or business interests in 
China as a result of this mission;
     Consistency of the company's (or in the case of a trade 
association, represented company's) goals and objectives with the 
stated scope of the mission;
     Rank/seniority of the applicant's designated 
representative;
     Current or pending major project/transaction/agreement/
investment with Chinese entities or organizations with a capacity to 
increase U.S. exports to China; and
     Demonstrated export experience (in the case of a trade 
association, of the companies being represented) to China and/or other 
foreign markets.
    The balance of entities participating in the mission with respect 
to type, size, location, sector or subsector may also be considered 
during the review process.
    Referrals from political organizations and any information, 
including on the application, containing references to political 
contributions or other partisan political activities will be excluded 
from the application and will not be considered during the selection 
process. The sender will be notified of these exclusions.

Trade Mission Participation Fees

    If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the 
designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of 
acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to 
submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.
    Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay 
for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, 
international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, 
and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be 
able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the 
event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in 
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation 
fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have 
not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
    If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying 
for and obtaining such visas will be the responsibility of the mission 
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such 
visas are not included in the participation fee. However, the 
Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on 
the procedures required to obtain business visas.
    Trade Mission members participate in trade missions and undertake 
mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security 
situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be 
guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or 
guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. 
Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts 
and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any question regarding 
insurance coverage

[[Page 45265]]

must be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice.

Definition of Small and Medium Sized Enterprise

    For purposes of assessing participation fees, the Department of 
Commerce defines Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) as a firm 
with 500 or fewer employees or that otherwise qualifies as a small 
business under SBA regulations (see http://www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent 
companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries will be considered when 
determining business size. The dual pricing reflects the Commercial 
Service's user fee schedule that became effective May 1, 2008 (see 
http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html for 
additional information).
    Mission List: (additional information about each mission can be 
found at http://export.gov/trademissions).

Secretary-Led Multi-Sector Trade Mission to China, Mid-November 2017

Summary

    United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will lead a Trade 
Mission to China in mid-November 2017. This multi-sector mission will 
promote U.S. exports to China by supporting U.S. companies in launching 
or increasing their business in the marketplace, as well as address 
trade policy issues with high-level Chinese officials. Key elements 
will include business-to-government and business-to-industry meetings, 
market briefings, networking events and opportunities to promote new 
deals and agreements between mission participants and Chinese entities 
through signing ceremonies.
    In April 2017, President Trump and President Xi met at Mar-a-Lago 
to discuss strategic and economic concerns of both countries. The 
Presidents agreed to meet again in 2017 to further the relationship. 
Addressing the imbalance in U.S.-China trade has been a central focus 
of discussions between President Trump and President Xi, and this trade 
mission will advance the bilateral commercial relationship by promoting 
business deals between U.S. and Chinese firms, as well as addressing 
market access barriers faced by U.S. companies. President Xi and other 
senior Chinese officials have signaled their interest in improving the 
U.S.-China relationship through increased exports of U.S. goods and 
services to China.
    The trade mission delegation will be composed of senior executives 
(equivalent to C-suite) from 12-25 U.S. firms.

                                Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day One, November.............  Beijing..........  [ssquf] Business
                                                    Delegation arrives
                                                    in Beijing.
                                                   [ssquf] Business
                                                    Delegation Meet and
                                                    Greet.
                                                   [ssquf] Participant
                                                    dinner/networking.
Day Two, November.............  Beijing..........  [ssquf] Opening
                                                    Session: Welcome
                                                    Remarks from Senior
                                                    Government
                                                    Officials.
                                                   [ssquf] Briefings/
                                                    Panels with Chinese
                                                    Ministers and
                                                    industry experts.
                                                   [ssquf] Working
                                                    lunch.
                                                   [ssquf] Briefings/
                                                    Panels with Chinese
                                                    Ministers and
                                                    industry experts.
                                                   [ssquf] Signings
                                                    Ceremony.
                                                   [ssquf] Networking
                                                    Reception and Gala
                                                    Dinner.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All companies interested in participating in the Secretarial Trade 
Mission to China must complete and submit an application package for 
consideration to the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be 
evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy 
the selection criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 12 and a maximum 
of 25 companies will be selected to participate in the mission from the 
applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company has been selected to participate in the mission, a 
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation 
fee is required. The fee schedule for the mission is below:

 $10,000 for large firms or trade associations
 $9,500 for a small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For these purposes, a SME includes any company that 
qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations (see https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf) or 
has 500 or fewer employees. Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 $1,500 additional representative (large firm, SME, or trade 
association--limit one additional representative per company)

    Participants selected for the trade mission will be expected to pay 
for the cost of all personal expenses, including, but not limited to, 
air travel, lodging, meals, communication, and incidentals unless 
otherwise noted. In the event the mission is cancelled, no personal 
expenses paid in anticipation of a trade mission will be reimbursed. 
However, participation fees for a cancelled trade mission will be 
reimbursed to the extent they have not already been expended in 
anticipation of the mission.
    Business visas will be required. Government fees and processing 
expenses to obtain such visas are not included in the participation 
fee. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce will provide instructions 
to each participant on the procedures required to obtain necessary 
business visas.

Timeline for Recruitment

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr), posting on ITA's business development mission 
calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and other Internet Web 
sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, 
broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other 
multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, 
conferences, and trade shows.
    Recruitment will begin immediately and conclude no later than 
October 6, 2017. Applications can be completed online and are available 
at www.export.gov/ChinaMission2017. At the time the dates of the 
mission are announced, they will be posted on this Web site. There is 
no guarantee this will occur before the application deadline.
    The application deadline is October 6, 2017. Completed applications 
should be submitted online. Applications received after the October 6th 
deadline will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit. The Department of

[[Page 45266]]

Commerce will evaluate all applications and inform applicants of 
selection decisions as soon as possible after the application deadline.

                                Contacts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Business and Applications:The    Tyler Shields, Director, The
 Office of Business Liaison, U.S.         Office of China and Mongolia,
 Department of Commerce, 1401             U.S. Department of Commerce,
 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 5062,      1401 Constitution Avenue NW.,
 Washington, DC 20230, Phone: +1-202-     Room 38013, Washington, DC
 482-1360, Fax: 202-482-4054, E-mail:     20230, Phone: +1-202-482-3544,
 [email protected].                 Email:
                                          [email protected].
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Frank Spector,
Senior Advisor for Trade Missions.
[FR Doc. 2017-20758 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P