[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 236 (Monday, December 13, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70861-70862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26911]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-586]


Foreign Censorship Part 2: Trade and Economic Effects on U.S. 
Businesses; Written Submission Deadline

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of request for written submissions from the public 
regarding Investigation No. 332-586.

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SUMMARY: The Commission seeks information from the public on the 
impacts of foreign censorship on U.S. businesses, in connection with 
Investigation No. 332-586, Foreign Censorship Part 2: Trade and 
Economic Effects on U.S. Businesses.

DATES: January 14, 2022: Deadline for filing written submissions for 
Investigation No. 332-586.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices are located in the U.S. International 
Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. Due to the 
COVID 19 pandemic, the Commission's building is currently closed to the 
public. Once the building reopens, persons with mobility impairments 
who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission 
should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The project leaders for this 
investigation are Ricky Ubee, Shova KC, and George Serletis. The 
Commission is currently unable to accept paper correspondence for this 
investigation. Please direct all questions and comments about this 
investigation electronically to the project leaders via email at 
[email protected] or by phone at 202-205-3493.
    The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. 
General information concerning the Commission may be obtained by 
accessing its internet address (https://www.usitc.gov). Hearing-
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be 
obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission seeks written submissions in 
connection with Investigation No. 332-586, Foreign Censorship Part 2: 
Trade and Economic Effects on U.S. Businesses, instituted under the 
authority of section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)). This investigation and report were requested by the Committee 
on Finance (Committee) of the U.S. Senate in a letter dated April 7, 
2021 (revised from a request received January 4, 2021). This 
investigation was initiated on May 6, 2021 and notice was published in 
the Federal Register on May 12, 2021 (86 FR 26064).
    As stated in the initiating notice for this investigation, the 
Committee has asked the Commission to provide an analysis of the 
impacts of foreign censorship policies and practices in key markets on 
U.S. businesses. The report will include, to the extent practicable, 
including through the use of survey data, an analysis of the trade and 
economic effects of such policies and practices on affected businesses 
in the United States and their global operations. The analysis will 
include to the extent practicable, quantitative and qualitative impacts 
of the identified policies, including by reference, where identifiable, 
to:
    a. Impact on employment;
    b. direct costs (e.g., compliance and entry costs);
    c. foregone revenue and sales;
    d. self-censorship; and
    e. other effects the Commission considers relevant for the 
Committee to know.
    Written Submissions: ``Written submissions'' refers to any written

[[Page 70862]]

submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether 
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or 
updates of information previously provided. Written submissions should 
provide information that will assist the Commission in analyzing 
foreign censorship's impacts on (1) employment, (2) direct costs to 
businesses (e.g., compliance and entry costs), (3) foregone revenue and 
sales, (4) self-censorship, and (5) other effects that you view as 
falling within the scope of the Committee's request. The Commission is 
scheduled to deliver its report to the Committee by July 5, 2022.
    All written submissions must conform to the provisions of section 
201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
201.8), as temporarily amended by 85 FR 15798 (March 19, 2020). Under 
that rule waiver, the Office of the Secretary will accept only 
electronic filings at this time. Filings must be made through the 
Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov). No in-person paper-based filings or paper copies of 
any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice. Persons 
with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Office of 
the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), or consult the 
Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
    In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) the 
document must identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and 
title and the type of document filed (i.e., written submission), (2) 
the name and signature of the person filing it, (3) the name of the 
organization that the submission is filed on behalf of, and (4) whether 
it contains confidential business information (CBI). If it contains 
CBI, it must comply with the marking and other requirements set out 
below in this notice relating to CBI. Submitters are encouraged to 
include a short summary of their position or interest at the beginning 
of the document, and a table of contents when the document addresses 
multiple issues.
    Confidential Business Information: Any submissions that contain 
confidential business information must also conform to the requirements 
of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure 
(19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of 
the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to whether 
they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-confidential'' version, and that 
the confidential business information is clearly identified by means of 
brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
parties.
    As requested by the Committee, the Commission will not include any 
confidential business information in its report. However, all 
information, including confidential business information, submitted in 
this investigation may be disclosed to and used: (i) By the Commission, 
its employees and Offices, and contract personnel (a) for developing or 
maintaining the records of this or a related proceeding, or (b) in 
internal investigations, audits, reviews, and evaluations relating to 
the programs, personnel, and operations of the Commission including 
under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S. government employees and 
contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes. The Commission will not 
otherwise disclose any confidential business information in a way that 
would reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.
    Summaries of Written Submissions: Persons wishing to have a summary 
of their position included in the report should include a summary with 
their written submission on or before January 14, 2022 and should mark 
the summary as having been provided for that purpose. The summary 
should be clearly marked as ``summary for inclusion in the part 2 
report'' at the top of the page. The summary may not exceed 500 words 
should not include any confidential business information. The summary 
will be published as provided if it meets these requirements and is 
germane to the subject matter of the investigation. The Commission will 
list the name of the organization furnishing the summary and will 
include a link to the Commission's Electronic Document Information 
System (EDIS) where the written submission can be found.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: December 8, 2021.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2021-26911 Filed 12-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P