[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64101-64102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30850]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-400]
Conditions of Competition in U.S. Forest Products Trade
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 9, 1998.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on October 19, 1998, from the
Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-400, Conditions of Competition in U.S. Forest
Products Trade, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19
U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Industry-specific information may be obtained
from William Hoffmeier (202-205-3321), Vincent Honnold (202-205-3314),
or William Lipovsky (202-205-3330), Office of Industries, U.S.
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information
on the legal aspects of this investigation contact William Gearhart of
the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). News media should
contact Peg O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819).
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.
Background
The Committee on Finance has requested that the Commission
investigate the conditions of competition in forest products trade,
with special emphasis on trade barriers and forest practices that may
distort domestic and international markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin
America, and provide a report setting forth the results of that
investigation. As requested by the Committee, the Commission will
provide in its report, to the extent possible, the following:
An overview of the global market for forest products,
including consumption, production, capacity, and trade trends during
1994-98;
A description of the U.S. forest products industry and the
major foreign forest products industries in Asia, Europe, and Latin
America, including recent changes in production, capacity, marketing
practices and market shares;
A description of trade patterns (both imports and exports)
and conditions affecting U.S. forest products trade, including tariff
and non-tariff barriers (especially in Asia, Europe, and Latin
America), fluctuations in exchange rates, and competition from
exporting countries;
A description of Asian, European, and Latin American
government policies affecting U.S. forest products trade, including
factors such as financial and other domestic support programs, access
to raw materials, regulatory enforcement, forestry practices that may
distort domestic and/or international markets for forest products, as
well as support from entities such as international financial
institutions; and
A comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of major
U.S., Asian, European, and Latin American producers in such areas as
raw materials, capital availability, technological capabilities, extent
of plant and equipment modernization, present capacity and future
planned capacity expansion, and government support.
The investigation will be limited to forest products covered in
chapters 44, 47, and 48 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the
United States. The report will include information on future forest
products supply and demand trends. As requested, the Commission will
provide its completed report to the Committee by October 19, 1999.
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 1999. All persons
will 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, U.S. International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, 20436, no later than 5:15
p.m., May 12, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 14, 1999; the deadline
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 9,
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on May 12, 1999,
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, 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 May 12, 1999, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions
In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing,
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this
investigation. Commercial or financial information that 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 C.F.R. 201.6). 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. To be assured of consideration by the
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date
and should be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 9, 1999. All
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The
Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the
Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
[[Page 64102]]
Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server
(http://www.usitc.gov).
List of Subjects
Forest products, exports, imports, markets, trade, production,
consumption, capacity, barriers, distortions, financial and government
support, exchange rates, United States, Asia, Europe, Latin America,
and future trends.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 12, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-30850 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
