E8-23321. Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Additions and Removals

AGENCY:

United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION:

Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

SUMMARY:

Following receipt on September 24, 2008 of a request from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332 (g)), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-500, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Additions and Removals.

DATES:

 

October 14, 2008: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public hearing.

October 15, 2008: Deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and statements.

October 30, 2008: Public hearing.

November 5, 2008: Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and statements and other written submissions.

December 19, 2008: Transmittal of report to USTR.

ADDRESSES:

All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. All written submissions, including requests to appear at the hearing, statements, and briefs, should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ONLINE) at http://www.usitc.gov/​secretary/​edis.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Information may be obtained from Cynthia B. Foreso, Project Leader, Office of Industries (202-205-3348 or [e-mail]) or Eric Land, Deputy Project Leader, Office of Industries (202-205-3349 or [e-mail]). For more information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or [e-mail]). The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819 or [e-mail]). Hearing-impaired individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). 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.

Background: As requested by the USTR, in accordance with sections 503(a)(1)(A), 503(e), and 131(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2463(a)(1)(A), 19 U.S.C. 2463(e), and 19 U.S.C. 2151(a)), and pursuant to the authority of the President delegated to the United States Trade Representative by sections 4(c) and 8(c) and (d) of Executive Order 11846 of March 31, 1975, as amended, and pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission will provide advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program on articles provided for in HTS subheadings 0710.10.00, 0710.30.00, 0710.40.00, 0710.80.97.22, 0710.80.97.24, 0710.80.97.26, 2008.92.90.40, 2009.41.20, 2009.49.20, 3901.20.10, and 4412.39.50.30. Also, as requested by USTR, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the Commission will provide advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the removal from eligibility for duty-free treatment under the GSP program of articles provided for in HTS subheadings 3907.60.00 from India, 3907.60.00 from Indonesia, and 3908.10.00 from Thailand. The Commission expects to provide its advice by December 19, 2008. The USTR indicated that those sections of the Commission's report and related working papers that contain the Commission's advice and model inputs and results will be classified as “confidential.”

Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on October 30, 2008 at the United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. All persons have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present information, and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., Washington, DC 20436, not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) on October 14, 2008, in accordance with the requirements in the “Written Submissions” section below.

Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements or briefs concerning these investigations. All written submissions, including requests to appear at the hearing, statements, and briefs, should be addressed to the Secretary. Pre-hearing briefs and statements should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., October 15, 2008; and post-hearing briefs and statements and all other written submissions should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., November 5, 2008. All written submissions must conform with the provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 of the rules requires that a signed original (or a copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which the confidential information must be deleted (see the following paragraph for further information regarding confidential business information). The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, http://www.usitc.gov/​secretary/​fed_​reg_​notices/​rules/​documents/​handbook_​on_​electronic_​filing.pdf ). Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000).

Any submissions that contain confidential business information must also conform with 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 “nonconfidential” version, and that the confidential business information be clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for inspection by interested parties. The Commission may include some or all of the confidential business information submitted in the course of this investigation in the report it sends to the USTR.

As requested by the USTR, the Commission will publish a public version of the report, which will exclude portions of the report that the USTR has classified as confidential as well as any confidential business information.

By order of the Commission.

Issued: September 29, 2008.

Marilyn R. Abbott,

Secretary to the Commission.