[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14711-14712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06925]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket Number USTR-2018-0004, Dispute Number WTO/DS541]


WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding India--Export Related 
Measures

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
providing notice that on March 14, 2018, the United States requested 
consultations with India under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the 
World Trade Organization (WTO Agreement) concerning certain Indian 
export subsidy measures. That request is available at www.wto.org in a 
document designated as WT/DS541/1. USTR invites written comments from 
the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.

DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments received during the 
course of

[[Page 14712]]

the dispute settlement proceedings, you should submit your comment on 
or before April 16, 2018, to be assured of timely consideration by 
USTR.

ADDRESSES: USTR strongly prefers electronic submissions made through 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments in section III below. The docket 
number is USTR-2018-0004. For alternatives to on-line submissions, 
please contact Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-9483.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assistant General Counsel Ross 
Bidlingmaier (202) 395-9409 or David Lee (202) 395-9511.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    USTR is providing notice that consultations have been requested 
pursuant to the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the 
Settlement of Disputes (DSU). If these consultations do not resolve the 
matter, the United States could request that the WTO establish a 
dispute settlement panel pursuant to the DSU, which would hold its 
meetings in Geneva Switzerland, and issue a report on its findings.

II. Major Issues Raised by the United States

    On March 14, 2018, the United States requested consultations 
concerning certain Indian export subsidies provided through: (1) The 
Export Oriented Units Scheme and sector specific schemes, including 
Electronics Hardware Technology Parks Scheme, (2) the Merchandise 
Exports from India Scheme, (3) the Export Promotion Capital Goods 
Scheme, (4) Special Economic Zones, and (5) a duty-free imports for 
exporters program.
    The United States alleges that India is providing prohibited export 
subsidies contrary to Articles 3.1(a) and 3.2 of the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

III. Public Comments: Requirements for Submissions

    USTR invites written comments concerning the issues raised in this 
dispute. All submissions must be in English and sent electronically via 
www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to electronic submissions, 
contact Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-9483.
    To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2018-0004 on the home page and click ``search.'' 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 ``Comment Now!'' For further information 
on using the www.regulations.gov website, please consult the resources 
provided on the website by clicking on ``How to Use Regulations.gov'' 
on the bottom of the home page.
    The www.regulations.gov website allows users to provide comments by 
filling in a ``Type Comment'' field, or by attaching a document using 
an ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers that comments be provided in an 
attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type 
``See attached'' in the ``Type Comment'' field. USTR prefers 
submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the 
submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate 
the name of the application in the ``Type Comment'' field.
    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 and the submission should 
clearly indicate, via brackets, highlighting, or other means, the 
specific information that is business confidential. If you request 
business confidential treatment, you must certify in writing that 
disclosure of the information would endanger trade secrets or 
profitability, and that the information would not customarily be 
released to the public. Filers of submissions containing business 
confidential information also must submit a public version of their 
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 or rebuttal comments. If 
these procedures are not sufficient to protect business confidential 
information or otherwise protect business interests, please contact 
Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-9483 to discuss whether alternative 
arrangements are possible.
    USTR may determine that information or advice contained in a 
comment, other than business confidential information, is confidential 
in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 
U.S.C. 2155(g)(2)). If a submitter believes that information or advice 
is confidential, s/he must clearly designate the information or advice 
as confidential and mark it as ``SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE'' at the top 
and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page, and provide a 
non-confidential summary of the information or advice.
    Pursuant to section 127(e) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 
U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR will maintain a docket on this dispute settlement 
proceeding, docket number USTR-2018-0004, accessible to the public at 
www.regulations.gov. The public file will include non-confidential 
public comments USTR receives regarding the dispute. If a dispute 
settlement panel is convened, or in the event of an appeal from a 
panel, USTR will make the following documents publicly available at 
www.ustr.gov: The U.S. submissions and any non-confidential summaries 
of submissions received from other participants in the dispute. If a 
dispute settlement panel is convened, or in the event of an appeal from 
a panel, the report of the panel, and, if applicable, the report of the 
Appellate Body, will also be available on the website of the World 
Trade Organization, at www.wto.org.

Juan A. Mill[aacute]n,
Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and 
Enforcement, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-06925 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F8-P