[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53527-53528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23055]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket Number USTR-2018-0014; Dispute Number WT/DS546]


WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States--
Safeguard Measure on Imports of Large Residential Washers

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

[[Page 53528]]

providing notice that the Republic of Korea (Korea) has requested the 
establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh 
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO Agreement) 
concerning the safeguard measure in effect on imports of large 
residential washers. You can find that request at www.wto.org in a 
document designated as WT/DS546/4. USTR invites written comments from 
the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.

DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments during the course of the 
dispute settlement proceedings, you should submit your comment on or 
before November 15, 2018, to be assured of timely consideration by 
USTR.

ADDRESSES: USTR strongly prefers electronic submissions made the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments in Section III below. The docket 
number is USTR-2018-0014. For alternatives to online submissions, 
please contact Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-9483 before transmitting a 
comment and in advance of the relevant deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assistant General Counsel Juli 
Schwartz, (202) 395-9588.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Section 127(b)(1) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) (19 
U.S.C. 3537(b)(1)) requires notice and opportunity for comment after 
the United States submits or receives a request for the establishment 
of a WTO dispute settlement panel. Pursuant to this provision, USTR is 
providing notice that Korea has requested a dispute settlement panel 
pursuant to the WTO Understanding on Rules Procedures Governing the 
Settlement of Disputes (DSU). The panel will hold its meetings in 
Geneva, Switzerland.

II. Major Issues Raised by Korea

    On May 14, 2018, Korea requested consultations concerning the 
safeguard measure in effect pursuant to Proclamation 9594 of January 
23, 2018--To Facilitate a Positive Adjustment to Competition from 
Imports of Large Residential Washers (83 FR 3553, January 25, 2018). 
You can find the consultation request at www.wto.org in a document 
designated as WT/DS546/1. Korea and the United States held 
consultations on June 26, 2018.
    On August 14, 2018, Korea filed a request for the establishment a 
WTO dispute settlement panel. In its request for the establishment of a 
panel, Korea alleges that the United States' safeguard action is 
inconsistent with Articles 1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 7.1, 
7.4, 8.1, 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 of the Agreement on Safeguards; and 
Articles I:1, II, X:3 and XIX:1(a) of the General Agreement on Tariffs 
and Trade 1994. The WTO Dispute Settlement Body established a panel on 
September 26, 2018.

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.
    To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2018-0014 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 you attach a document, 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 and bottom 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. For 
alternatives to online submissions, please contact Sandy McKinzy at 
(202) 395-9483 before transmitting a comment and in advance of the 
relevant deadline.
    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 URAA (19 U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR 
will maintain a docket on this dispute settlement proceeding, docket 
number USTR-2018-0014, 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 Millan,
Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and 
Enforcement, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-23055 Filed 10-22-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F9-P