[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45131-45132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16049]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. U.S.-Korea FTA-103-033]


Certain Fabrics of Triacetate Filament Yarns: Effect of 
Modification to U.S.-Korea FTA Rules of Origin

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and notice of opportunity to 
provide written comments.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on July 5, 2022, of a request from the U.S. 
Trade Representative (USTR), under authority delegated by the President 
and pursuant to section 104(1) of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (the Act), the U.S. International Trade Commission 
(Commission) instituted investigation No. U.S.-Korea FTA-103-033, 
Certain Fabrics of Triacetate Filament Yarns: Effect of Modification to 
U.S.-Korea FTA Rules of Origin, for the purpose of providing advice on 
a modification to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) rules of 
origin for certain fabrics.

DATES: August 26, 2022: Deadline for filing written submissions. 
November 4, 2022: Transmittal of Commission report to USTR.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices are 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: Project Leader Katherine Stubblefield 
(202-205-2522 or [email protected]) for information 
specific to this investigation. For information on the legal aspects of 
this investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or 
[email protected]) or William Gearhart (202-205-3091 or 
[email protected]) of the Commission's Office of the General 
Counsel. The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of External 
Relations ([email protected] or 202-205-1819).
    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 Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.
    Background: In her request letter (received July 5, 2022), the USTR 
stated that the United States and Korea have recently reached 
preliminary agreement on a proposed modification to the KORUS rules of 
origin for certain fabrics. The USTR stated that section 
202(o)(2)(B)(i) of the Act authorizes the President, subject to the 
consultation and layover requirements of section 104 of the Act, to 
proclaim such modifications to the rules or origin for textiles and 
apparel goods as are necessary to implement an agreement with Korea 
pursuant to Article 4.2.5 of the U.S.-Korea FTA. The USTR also stated 
that one of the requirements set out in section 104(1) of the Act is 
that the President obtain advice regarding the proposed action from the 
Commission.
    In the request letter, the USTR asked that the Commission provide 
advice on the probable economic effect of the rules of origin 
modification on U.S. trade under KORUS, total U.S. trade, and domestic 
producers of the affected articles. She further requested that the 
Commission provide its advice at the earliest possible date but no 
later than four months from receipt of the request, and that it issue 
as soon as possible thereafter, a public version of its report with any 
confidential business information redacted.
    The proposed modification to the KORUS rules of origin covers 
certain fabrics of heading 5408 made from textured and non-textured 
triacetate filament yarns of subheading 5403.33. The request letter and 
the proposed modification are available on the Commission's website at 
https://www.usitc.gov. As requested, the Commission will provide its 
advice to USTR no later than four months from receiving the request 
letter (or by November 4, 2022).
    Written Submissions: No public hearing is planned. However, 
interested parties are invited to file written submissions. All written 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, and should be 
received no later than 5:15 p.m., August 26, 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

[[Page 45132]]

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.
    Confidential Business Information: Any submissions that contain 
confidential business information (CBI) 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 CBI is clearly identified by means of brackets. All 
written submissions, except for CBI, will be made available for 
inspection by interested parties.
    The Commission may include some or all of the CBI submitted in the 
course of the investigation in the report it sends to USTR. In 
addition, all information, including CBI, 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 CBI in a manner that would reveal the operations 
of the firm supplying the information.
    Summaries of Written Submissions: The Commission intends to publish 
summaries of the positions of interested persons in an appendix to its 
report. Persons wishing to have a summary of their position included in 
the report should include a summary with their written submission on or 
before August 26, 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 report'' at the top of the page. The 
summary may not exceed 500 words and should not include any CBI. 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: July 21, 2022.
Katherine Hiner,
Acting Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2022-16049 Filed 7-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P