[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72102-72111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28088]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket Number USTR-2019-0024]
Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular
Exclusions Granted Under the March 2019 Product Exclusion Notice From
the $34 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China's Acts, Policies,
and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property,
and Innovation
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed
additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value of
approximately $34 billion as part of the action in the Section 301
investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to
technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S.
Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in July 2018 and
granted multiple sets of exclusions. The second set of exclusions was
granted in March 2019, and are scheduled to expire on March 25, 2020.
The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible
extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in March
2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public
comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.
DATES: January 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET: The docket (USTR-2019-0024)
will open for submitting comments on the possible extension of
particular exclusions.
February 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET: To be assured of consideration,
submit written comments by February 15, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit public comments through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is USTR-2019-
0024. USTR strongly encourages all commenters to use Form A in
submitting comments. If applicable, Form B (which requests Business
Confidential Information (BCI)), along with a copy of the corresponding
Form A, must be submitted via email at [email protected].
See the submission instructions below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about this notice,
contact USTR Assistant General Counsels Philip Butler or Benjamin Allen
at (202) 395-5725.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see
the prior notices issued in the investigation, including 82 FR 40213
(August 23, 2017), 83 FR 14906 (April 6, 2018), 83 FR 28710 (June 20,
2018), 83 FR 40823 (August 16, 2018), 83 FR 47974 (September 21, 2018),
83 FR 65198 (December 19, 2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 5, 2019), 84 FR
20459 (May 9, 2019), 84 FR 43304 (August 20, 2019), and 84 FR 45821
(August 30, 2019).
Effective July 6, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed
additional 25 percent duties on goods of China classified in 818 8-
digit subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS), with an approximate annual trade value of $34 billion.
See 83 FR 28710. The U.S. Trade Representative's determination included
a decision to establish a process by which U.S. stakeholders can
request exclusion of particular products classified within an 8-digit
HTSUS subheading covered by the $34 billion
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action from the additional duties. The U.S. Trade Representative issued
a notice setting out the process for the product exclusions, and opened
a public docket. See 83 FR 32181 (the July 11 notice).
The July 11 notice required submission of requests for exclusion
from the $34 billion action no later than October 9, 2018, and noted
that the U.S. Trade Representative periodically would announce
decisions. The U.S. Trade Representative granted multiple sets of
exclusions. The second set of exclusions was granted in March 2019, and
are scheduled to expire on March 25, 2020. See 84 FR 11152 (March 25,
2019) (March 2019 notice).
B. Possible Extensions of Particular Product Exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible
extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in the
March 2019 notice. Accordingly, USTR invites public comments on whether
to extend particular exclusions granted in the March 2019 notice. At
this time, USTR is not considering comments concerning possible
extensions of exclusions granted under any other product exclusion
notice.
USTR will evaluate the possible extension of each exclusion on a
case-by-case basis. The focus of the evaluation will be whether,
despite the first imposition of these additional duties in July 2018,
the particular product remains available only from China. In addressing
this factor, commenters should address specifically:
Whether the particular product and/or a comparable product
is available from sources in the United States and/or in third
countries.
Any changes in the global supply chain since July 2018
with respect to the particular product or any other relevant industry
developments.
The efforts, if any, the importers or U.S. purchasers have
undertaken since July 2018 to source the product from the United States
or third countries.
In addition, USTR will continue to consider whether the imposition
of additional duties on the products covered by the exclusion will
result in severe economic harm to the commenter or other U.S.
interests.
USTR strongly encourages that commenters complete Form A (which
will be posted on USTR's website by the time the docket opens) and
submit the completed Form A to https://www.regulations.gov. The docket
number is USTR-2019-0024. USTR will post completed Form A's on the
public docket.
In addition to submitting Form A, commenters who are importers and/
or purchasers of the products covered by the exclusion also should
complete Form B (which will be posted on USTR's website by the time the
docket opens) and submit it, along with a copy of their completed Form
A, via email at [email protected]. Form A must be
submitted via email with Form B and submitted as a single document
(without Form B) to docket USTR-2019-0024 at https://www.regulations.gov.
Form B requests BCI information, and will not be posted on the
public docket. To facilitate advance preparation of submissions,
facsimiles of Forms A and B are annexed to this notice and will be
available electronically at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/section-301-china/34-billion-trade-action.
Set forth below is a summary of the information to be entered on
Form A:
Contact information, including the full legal name of the
organization making the comment, whether the commenter is a third party
(e.g., law firm, trade association, or customs broker) submitting on
behalf of an organization or industry, and the name of the third party
organization, if applicable.
The publication date of the Federal Register notice
containing the exclusion on which you are commenting. Since USTR at
this time only is considering exclusions granted by the March 2019
notice, this field must specify March 25, 2019.
The full article description for the exclusion you are
commenting on and the 10-digit code, as provided in the Federal
Register notice granting the exclusion. Please indicate if the
exclusion is a 10-digit HTSUS code (covering all products under a
single 10-digit HTSUS number).
Whether the product or products covered by the exclusion
are subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order issued by
the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Whether you support or oppose extending the exclusion and
an explanation of your rationale. Commenters must provide a public
version of their rationale, even if the commenter also is submitting a
Form B with more detailed, confidential information.
Whether the products covered by the exclusion or
comparable products are available from sources in the U.S. or in third
countries. Please include information concerning any changes in the
global supply chain since July 2018 with respect to the particular
product.
Whether the commenter will be submitting Form B.
As indicated above, information submitted on Form B will not be
publically available. Form B requires commenters who are importers and/
or purchasers of the products covered by the exclusion to provide the
following information:
The efforts you have undertaken since July 2018 to source
the product from the United States or third countries.
The value and quantity of the Chinese-origin product
covered by the specific exclusion request purchased in 2018, the first
half of 2018, and the first half of 2019. Whether these purchases are
from a related company, and if so, the name of and relationship to the
related company.
Whether Chinese suppliers have lowered their prices for
products covered by the exclusion following the imposition of duties.
The value and quantity of the product covered by the
exclusion purchased from domestic and third country sources in 2018,
the first half of 2018, and the first half of 2019.
If applicable, the commenter's gross revenue for 2018, the
first half of 2018, and the first half of 2019.
Whether the Chinese-origin product of concern is sold as a
final product or as an input.
Whether the imposition of duties on the products covered
by the exclusion will result in severe economic harm to the commenter
or other U.S. interests.
Any additional information in support or in opposition of
the extending the exclusion.
Commenters also may provide any other information or data that they
consider relevant.
C. Submission Instructions
To be assured of consideration, you must submit your comment
between the opening of the docket on January 15, 2020, and the February
15, 2020 submission deadline. By submitting a comment, you are
certifying that the information provided is complete and correct to the
best of your knowledge.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, USTR submitted a
request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency
review and clearance of this information collection request (ICR)
titled 301 Exclusion Requests. OMB assigned control number 0350-0015.
USTR issued notice and requested comments regarding its intent to
seek
[[Page 72104]]
approval of a three-year extension of the control number for the
information request on August 22, 2019 and November 1, 2019. 84 FR
43853, 84 FR 58802. OMB currently is reviewing USTR's submission for a
three-year extension and has informed USTR that the control number is
valid during the pendency of its review.
Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
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[FR Doc. 2019-28088 Filed 12-27-19; 8:45 am]
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