[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63074-63075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30079]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-398]
Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized
System of Preferences
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.
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SUMMARY: On October 30, 1998, the Commission received a request from
the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for an investigation
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 for the purpose of
providing advice concerning possible modifications to the Generalized
System of Preferences (GSP). Following receipt of the request and in
accordance therewith, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-
398 in order to provide as follows--
(1) With respect to the article listed in Part A of the attached
Annex, advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the
removal of such article from eligibility for duty-free treatment under
the GSP for imports from beneficiary developing countries other than
those countries designated as least-developed beneficiary countries;
and
(2) In accordance with section 503(d)(1)(A) of the 1974 Act, advice
on whether any industry in the United States is likely to be adversely
affected by a waiver of the competitive need limits specified in
section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for the country specified with
respect to the articles in Part B of the attached Annex.
With respect to the competitive need limit in section
503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as requested, will
use the dollar value limit of $85,000,000.
As requested by USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its
advice not later than February 1, 1999.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
(1) Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-3348)
(2) Agricultural and forest products, William Hoffmeier (202-205-3321)
(3) Energy, chemicals, and textiles, Christopher Robinson (202-205-
2334)
(4) Minerals, metals, machinery, and miscellaneous manufactures, David
Lundy (202-205-3439)
(5) Electronics and transportation, James M. Brandon (202-205-3433)
All of the above are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For
information on legal aspects of the investigation contact William
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091.
Background
The USTR letter noted that the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC)
[[Page 63075]]
announced in the October 26, 1998 Federal Register the acceptance of
product petitions for modification of the GSP received as part of the
1998 annual review. The letter stated that modifications to the GSP
which may result from this review will be announced in May 1999 and
become effective on or about July 1, 1999.
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with this investigation is scheduled
to begin at 9:30 a.m. on December 1, 1998, at the U.S. International
Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, D.C. All
persons have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present
information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public
hearing should file a letter asking to testify 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 November 18, 1998. In addition, persons testifying should file
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the
close of business on November 20, 1998. Posthearing briefs should be
filed with the Secretary by close of business on December 15, 1998. In
the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the
close of business on November 18, 1998, the hearing will be canceled.
Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-
participant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1816)
after November 18, 1998 to determine whether the hearing will be held.
Written Submissions
In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the public hearing,
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning
the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close
of business on December 15, 1998. Commercial or financial information
which a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must
be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of
section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business
information, will be made available for inspection by interested
persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. The Commission's rules do not
authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or
electronic means.
Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this
matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 4, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
Annex I (HTS Subheadings)1
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\1\ See USTR Federal Register notice of October 26, 1998 (63
F.R. 57150) for article description.
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A. Petition to remove duty-free status from beneficiary
developing countries, other than those designated as least-developed
beneficiary developing countries, for a product on the list of
eligible articles for the GSP.
2934.20.05
B. Petitions for waiver of competitive need limit for a product
on the list of eligible products for the specified country.
2841.70.10 (Chile)
2916.31.15 (Estonia)
4412.13.50 (Indonesia)
4412.22.30 (Indonesia)
7113.11.50 (Thailand)
7113.19.29 (India)
7403.13.00 (Chile)
7403.19.00 (Chile)
7418.19.20 (India)
8483.10.30 (Brazil)
8527.39.00 (Indonesia)
8528.12.16 (Thailand)
8531.20.00 (Philippines)
8708.39.50 (Brazil)
9001.30.00 (Indonesia)
[FR Doc. 98-30079 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
