[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1452-1453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00338]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Continuation and Request for Nominations for the Trade 
Advisory Committee on Africa

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
establishing a new four-year charter term and accepting applications 
from qualified individuals interested in serving as a member of the 
Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA). The TACA is a trade advisory 
committee that provides general policy advice and guidance to the 
United States Trade Representative on trade policy and development 
matters that have a significant impact on the countries of sub-Saharan 
Africa.

DATES: USTR will accept nominations on a rolling basis for membership 
on the TACA for the four-year charter term beginning in March 2018. To 
ensure consideration before the new charter term, you should submit you 
application by February 2, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stewart Young, Deputy Assistant U.S. 
Trade Representative for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public 
Engagement, [email protected] or 202-395-2864, or Bennett Harman, 
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa, 
[email protected] or 202-395-9612.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    Section 135(c)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 
2155(c)(1)), authorizes the President to establish individual general 
trade policy advisory committees for industry, labor, agriculture, 
services, investment, defense, small business, and other interests, as 
appropriate, to provide general policy advice. The President delegated 
that authority to the United States Trade Representative in Executive 
Order 11846, section 4(d), issued on March 27, 1975. In addition, 
section 14 of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004, Public Law 108-274, 
118 Stat. 829-830 (codified at 19 U.S.C. 3701 note) specifically 
acknowledged the TACA, which USTR established under these authorities. 
Advisory committees established by the Trade Representative are subject 
to the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. See 19 U.S.C. 
2155(f); 5 U.S.C. App. II.
    Pursuant to these authorities, the United States Trade 
Representative intends to establish a new four-year charter term for 
the TACA, which will begin on March 19, 2018 and end on March 18, 2022.
    The TACA is a discretionary trade advisory committee established to 
provide general policy advice to the United States Trade Representative 
on trade policy and development matters that have a significant impact 
on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, the TACA 
provides general policy advice on issues that may affect the countries 
of sub-Saharan Africa including: (1) Negotiating objectives and 
bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements; (2) the 
impact of the implementation of trade agreements; (3) matters 
concerning the operation of any trade agreement once entered into; and 
(4) other matters arising in connection with the development, 
implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United 
States. The TACA also facilitates the goals and objectives of the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and assists in maintaining 
ongoing discussions with sub-Saharan African trade and agriculture 
ministries and private sector organizations on issues of mutual 
concern, including regional and international trade concerns and World 
Trade Organization issues.
    The TACA meets as needed, at the call of the United States Trade 
Representative or his/her designee, or two-thirds of the TACA members, 
depending on various factors such as the level of activity of trade 
negotiations and the needs of the United States Trade Representative.

II. Membership

    The TACA is composed of not more than 30 members who have expertise 
in general trade, investment and development issues and specific 
knowledge of United States-Africa trade and investment trends including 
trade under the AGOA; constraints to trade and investment (including 
infrastructure, energy and financing); trade facilitation measures; 
sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures and technical

[[Page 1453]]

barriers to trade; trade capacity building; investment treaty 
negotiations; United States-Africa investment and private sector 
partnerships; and implementation of World Trade Organization 
agreements. Members may represent industry, organized labor, 
investment, agriculture, services, non-profit development 
organizations, academia, and small business.
    The United States Trade Representative appoints all TACA members 
for a term of four-years or until the TACA charter expires, and they 
serve at his/her discretion. Individuals can be reappointed for any 
number of terms. The United States Trade Representative makes 
appointments without regard to political affiliation and with an 
interest in ensuring balance in terms of sectors, demographics, and 
other factors relevant to the USTR's needs. Insofar as practicable, 
TACA membership will reflect regional diversity and be broadly 
representative of key sectors and groups of the economy with an 
interest in trade and sub-Saharan Africa issues, including U.S. 
citizens who are diaspora African and U.S. citizens of African descent 
with requisite knowledge and experience.
    TACA members serve without either compensation or reimbursement of 
expenses. Members are responsible for all expenses they incur to attend 
meetings or otherwise participate in TACA activities.
    The United States Trade Representative appoints TACA members to 
represent their sponsoring U.S. entity's interests on sub-Saharan 
Africa trade, and thus USTR's foremost consideration for applicants is 
their ability to carry out the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act 
of 1974, as amended. Other criteria include the applicant's knowledge 
of and expertise in international trade issues as relevant to the work 
of the TACA and USTR. USTR anticipates that almost all TACA members 
will serve in a representative capacity with a very limited number 
serving in an individual capacity as subject matter experts. These 
members, known as special government employees or SGEs, are subject to 
conflict of interest rules and will have to complete a financial 
disclosure report.

III. Request for Nominations

    USTR is soliciting nominations for membership on the TACA. To apply 
for membership, an applicant must meet the following eligibility 
criteria:
    1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
    2. The applicant cannot be a full-time employee of a U.S. 
governmental entity.
    3. If serving in an individual capacity as an SGE, the applicant 
cannot be a federally registered lobbyist.
    4. The applicant cannot be registered with the U.S. Department of 
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
    5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security 
clearance.
    6. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming 
majority of the TACA, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization 
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues 
relevant to U.S. African trade and investment or have personal 
experience or expertise in United States-sub-Saharan African trade.
    For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an 
organization established under the laws of the United States, that is 
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or 
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), determined based on 
its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership, and 
funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization, more 
than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing 
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to 
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S. 
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's 
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
    7. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the 
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding sub-Saharan 
Africa trade issues.
    In order to be considered for TACA membership, interested persons 
should submit the following to Stewart Young at [email protected]:
     Name, title, affiliation, and contact information of the 
individual requesting consideration.
     If applicable, a sponsor letter on the organization's 
letterhead containing a brief description of the manner in which 
international trade affects the organization and why USTR should 
consider the applicant for membership.
     The applicant's personal resume or comprehensive 
biography.
     An affirmative statement that the applicant and the 
organization he or she represents meet all eligibility requirements.
    USTR will consider applicants who meet the eligibility criteria 
based on the following factors: Ability to represent the sponsoring 
U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's and its subsector's interests on 
sub-Saharan Africa trade matters; knowledge of and experience in trade 
matters relevant to the work of the TACA and USTR; and ensuring that 
the TACA is balanced in terms of points of view, demographics, 
geography, and entity or organization size.

Stewart Young,
Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intergovernmental 
Affairs and Public Engagement, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-00338 Filed 1-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F8-P