[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 84 (Thursday, April 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24081-24086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09237]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket Number USTR-2020-0017]
Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular
Exclusions Granted Under the July 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. He granted the sixth set of
exclusions in July 2019, which are scheduled to expire on July 9, 2020.
The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible
extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in July
2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) invites public
comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.
DATES:
May 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET: The public docket on the web portal
at https://comments.USTR.gov will open for parties to submit comments
on the possible extension of particular exclusions.
June 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET: To be assured of consideration,
submit written comments on the public docket by this deadline.
ADDRESSES: You must submit all comments through the online portal:
https://comments.USTR.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Associate General Counsel Philip
Butler or Assistant General Counsel Benjamin Allen at (202) 395-5725.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see
prior notices 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), 84 FR 45821 (August 30, 2019), 84 FR 69447
(December 18, 2019), and 85 FR 3741 (January 22, 2020).
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 action from the additional
duties. The U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice setting out the
process for the
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product exclusions, and opened a public docket. See 83 FR 32181 (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. He granted the sixth set of exclusions in July 2019, which
are scheduled to expire on July 9, 2020. See 84 FR 32821 (July 9, 2019)
(July 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
July 2019 notice. Accordingly, USTR invites public comments on whether
to extend particular exclusions granted in the July 2019 notice. For
exclusions amended or corrected by a later issued notice of product
exclusions, parties should provide their extension comments on the
docket corresponding to the initial notice of product exclusions.
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.
C. Procedures To Comment on the Extension of Particular Exclusions
To submit a comment regarding the extension of a particular
exclusion granted in the July 2019 notice, commenters must first
register on the portal at https://comments.USTR.gov. As noted above,
the public docket on the portal will be open from May 1, 2020, to June
1, 2020. After registration, the commenter may submit an exclusion
extension comment form to the public docket.
Fields on the comment form marked with an asterisk (*) are required
fields. Fields with a gray (BCI) notation are for Business Confidential
Information and the information entered will not be publicly available.
Fields with a green (Public) notation will be publicly available.
Additionally, parties will be able to upload documents and indicate
whether the documents are BCI or public. Commenters will be able to
review the public version of their comments before they are posted.
In order to facilitate the preparation of comments prior to the May
1 opening of the public docket, a facsimile of the exclusion extension
comment form parties will use on the portal is annexed to this notice.
Please note that the color-coding of public fields and BCI fields is
not visible on the attached facsimile, but will be apparent on the
actual comment form used on the portal.
Set out below is a summary of the information to be entered on the
exclusion extension comment form.
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 number for the exclusion on which you are commenting
as provided in the Annex of the Federal Register notice granting the
exclusion and the description. For descriptions amended or corrected by
a later issued notice of product exclusions, parties should use the
amended or corrected description.
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 intends to
submit a more detailed business confidential rationale.
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.
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 and 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 and
2019.
If applicable, the commenter's gross revenue for 2018 and
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 of or in opposition
to extending the exclusion.
Commenters also may provide any other information or data that they
consider relevant.
D. Submission Instructions
To be assured of consideration, you must submit your comment
between the opening of the public docket on the portal on May 1, 2020,
and the June 1, 2020 submission deadline. Parties seeking to comment on
two or more exclusions must submit a separate comment for each
exclusion.
By submitting a comment, the commenter certifies that the
information provided is complete and correct to the best of their
knowledge.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Office of Management and
Budget assigned control number 0350-0015, which expires January 31,
2023.
Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
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7[FR Doc. 2020-09237 Filed 4-29-20; 8:45 am]
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