2015-31192. Determination of Trade Surplus in Certain Sugar and Syrup Goods and Sugar-Containing Products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama

AGENCY:

Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of its determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. As described below, the level of a country's trade surplus in these goods relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the United States grants preferential tariff treatment under (i) the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA); (ii) the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA); (iii) the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR); (iv) the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA); (v) the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (Colombia TPA), and (vi) the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (Panama TPA).

DATES:

Effective Date: January 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Ronald Baumgarten, Director of Agricultural Affairs, Office of Agricultural Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ronald Baumgarten, Office of Agricultural Affairs, telephone: [phone] or facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Chile: Pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 108-77; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note), Presidential Proclamation No. 7746 of December 30, 2003 (68 FR 75789) implemented the Chile FTA on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the Chile FTA.

Note 12(a) to subchapter XI of HTS chapter 99 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of Chile's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in Harmonized System (HS) subheadings 1701.11, 1701.12, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.20, 1702.30, 1702.40, 1702.60, 1702.90, 1806.10, 2101.12, 2101.20, and 2106.90, except that Chile's imports of goods classified under HS subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the Chile FTA are not included in the calculation of Chile's trade surplus. (HS subheading 1701.11 was reclassified as 1701.13 and 1701.14 by Proclamation 8771 of December 29, 2011, 77 FR 413.)

Note 12(b) to subchapter XI of HTS chapter 99 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Chile entered under subheading 9911.17.05 in any calendar year (beginning in calendar year 2015) shall be the quantity of goods equal to the amount of Chile's trade surplus in subdivision (a) of the note.

During calendar year (CY) 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Chile' s imports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its exports of those goods by 554,753 metric tons according to data published by the Servicio Nacional de Aduana (Chile Customs). Based on this data, USTR determines that Chile's trade surplus is negative. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. Note 12(b) and U.S. Note 12(c) to subchapter XI of HTS chapter 99, goods of Chile are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under subheading 9911.17.05 or at preferential tariff rates under subheading 9911.17.10 through 9911.17.85 in CY 2016.

Morocco: Pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 108-302; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note), Presidential Proclamation No. 7971 of December 22, 2005 (70 FR 76651) implemented the Morocco FTA on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the Morocco FTA.

Note 12(a) to subchapter XII of HTS chapter 99 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of Morocco's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in HS subheadings 1701.11, 1701.12, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.40, and 1702.60, except that Morocco's imports of U.S. goods classified under HS subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the Morocco FTA are not included in the calculation of Morocco's trade surplus. (HS subheading 1701.11 was reclassified as 1701.13 and 1701.14 by Proclamation 8771 of December 29, 2011, 77 FR 413.)

Note 12(b) to subchapter XII of HTS chapter 99 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Morocco entered under subheading 9912.17.05 in an amount equal to the lesser of Morocco's trade surplus or the specific quantity set out in that note for that calendar year.

Note 12(c) to subchapter XII of HTS chapter 99 provides preferential tariff treatment for certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Morocco entered under subheading 9912.17.10 through 9912.17.85 in an amount equal to the amount by which Morocco's trade surplus exceeds the specific quantity set out in that note for that calendar year.

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Morocco' s imports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its exports of those goods by 766,540 metric tons according to data published by its customs authority, the Office des Changes. Based on this data, USTR determines that Morocco's trade surplus is negative. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. Note 12(b) and U.S. Note 12(c) to subchapter XII of HTS chapter 99, goods of Morocco are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under subheading 9912.17.05 or at preferential tariff rates under subheading 9912.17.10 through 9912.17.85 in CY 2015.

CAFTA-DR: Pursuant to section 201 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 109-53; 19 U.S.C. 4031), Presidential Proclamation No. 7987 of February 28, 2006 (71 FR 10827), Presidential Proclamation No. 7991 of March 24, 2006 (71 FR 16009), Presidential Proclamation No. 7996 of March 31, 2006 (71 FR 16971), Presidential Proclamation No. 8034 of June 30, 2006 (71 FR 38509), Presidential Proclamation No. 8111 of February 28, 2007 (72 FR 10025), Presidential Proclamation No. 8331 of December 23, 2008 (73 FR 79585), and Presidential Proclamation No. 8536 of June 12, 2010 (75 FR 34311) implemented the CAFTA-DR on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the CAFTA-DR.

Note 25(b)(i) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of each CAFTA-DR country's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.40, and 1702.60, except that each CAFTA-DR country's exports to the United States of goods classified under HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, and 1701.99 and its imports of goods classified under HS subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the CAFTA-DR are not included in the calculation of that country's trade surplus.

U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of each CAFTA-DR country entered under subheading 9822.05.20 in an amount equal to the lesser of that country's trade surplus or the specific quantity set out in that note for that country and that calendar year.

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Costa Rica' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 110,338 metric tons according to data published by the Costa Rican Customs Department, Ministry of Finance. Based on this data, USTR determines that Costa Rica's trade surplus is 110,338 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Costa Rica for CY 2016 is 13,200 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Costa Rica that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 13,200 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Costa Rica's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Costa Rica for CY 2016).

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, the Dominican Republic' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 27,413 metric tons according to data published by the National Direction of Customs (DGA). Based on this data, USTR determines that the Dominican Republic's trade surplus is 27,413 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for the Dominican Republic for CY 2016 is 12,000 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of the Dominican Republic that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 12,000 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of the Dominican Republic's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for the Dominican Republic for CY 2016).

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, El Salvador' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 286,304 metric tons according to data published by the Central Bank of El Salvador. Based on this data, USTR determines that El Salvador's trade surplus is 286,304 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for El Salvador for CY 2016 is 32,860 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of El Salvador that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 32,860 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of El Salvador's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for El Salvador for CY 2016).

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Guatemala' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 1,796,904 metric tons according to data published by the Asociación de Azucareros de Guatemala (ASAZGUA). Based on this data, USTR determines that Guatemala's trade surplus is 1,796,904 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Guatemala for CY 2016 is 44,520 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Guatemala that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 44,520 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Guatemala's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Guatemala for CY 2016).

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Honduras' exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 128,410 metric tons according to data published by the Central Bank of Honduras. Based on this data, USTR determines that Honduras' trade surplus is 128,410 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Honduras for CY 2016 is 9,600 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Honduras that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 9,600 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Honduras' trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Honduras for CY 2016).

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Nicaragua' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 384,051 metric tons according to data published by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade (MIFIC). Based on this data, USTR determines that Nicaragua's trade surplus is 384,051 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 25(b)(ii) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Nicaragua for CY 2016 is 26,400 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Nicaragua that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.05.20 in CY 2016 is 26,400 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Nicaragua's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Nicaragua for CY 2016).

Peru: Pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 110-138; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note), Presidential Proclamation No. 8341 of January 16, 2009 (74 FR 4105) implemented the Peru TPA on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the Peru TPA.

Note 28(c) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of Peru's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.40, and 1702.60, except that Peru's imports of U.S. goods classified under HS subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that are originating goods under the Peru TPA and Peru's exports to the United States of goods classified under HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, and 1701.99 are not included in the calculation of Peru's trade surplus.

Note 28(d) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar goods of Peru entered under subheading 9822.06.10 in an amount equal to the lesser of Peru's trade surplus or the specific quantity set out in that note for that calendar year.

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Peru' s imports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its exports of those goods by 48,603 metric tons according to data published by the Superintendencia Nacional de Administracion Tributaria (SUNAT). Based on this data, USTR determines that Peru's trade surplus is negative. Therefore, in accordance with U.S. Note 28(d) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98, goods of Peru are not eligible to enter the United States duty-free under subheading 9822.06.10 in CY 2016.

Colombia: Pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 112-42; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note), Presidential Proclamation No. 8818 of May 14, 2012 (77 FR 29519) implemented the Colombia TPA on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the Colombia TPA.

Note 32(b) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of Colombia's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.40 and 1702.60, except that Colombia's imports of U.S. goods classified under subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that are originating goods under the Colombia TPA and Colombia's exports to the United States of goods classified under subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91 and 1701.99 are not included in the calculation of Colombia's trade surplus.

Note 32(c)(i) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar goods of Colombia entered under subheading 9822.08.01 in an amount equal to the lesser of Colombia's trade surplus or the specific quantity set out in that note for that calendar year.

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Colombia' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 594,746 metric tons according to data published by Global Trade Atlas. Based on this data, USTR determines that Colombia's trade surplus is 594,746 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 32(c)(i) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Colombia for CY 2016 is 53,000 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Colombia that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.08.01 in CY 2016 is 53,000 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Colombia's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Colombia for CY 2016).

Panama: Pursuant to section 201 of the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 112-43; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note), Presidential Proclamation No. 8894 of October 29, 2012 (77 FR 66505) implemented the Panama TPA on behalf of the United States and modified the HTS to reflect the tariff treatment provided for in the Panama TPA.

Note 35(a) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides that USTR is required to publish annually in the Federal Register a determination of the amount of Panama's trade surplus, by volume, with all sources for goods in HS subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91, 1701.99, 1702.40 and 1702.60, except that Panama's imports of U.S. goods classified under subheadings 1702.40 and 1702.60 that are originating goods under the Panama TPA and Panama's exports to the United States of goods classified under subheadings 1701.12, 1701.13, 1701.14, 1701.91 and 1701.99 are not included in the calculation of Panama's trade surplus.

Note 35(c) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 provides duty-free treatment for certain sugar goods of Panama entered under subheading 9822.09.17 in an amount equal to the lesser of Panama's trade surplus or the specific quantity set out in that note for that calendar year.

During CY 2014, the most recent year for which data is available, Panama' s exports of the sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products described above exceeded its imports of those goods by 30,280 metric tons according to data published by National Institute of Statistics and Census, Office of the General Comptroller of Panama. Based on this data, USTR determines that Panama's trade surplus is 30,280 metric tons. The specific quantity set out in U.S. Note 35(c) to subchapter XXII of HTS chapter 98 for Panama for CY 2016 is 525 metric tons. Therefore, in accordance with that note, the aggregate quantity of goods of Panama that may be entered duty-free under subheading 9822.09.17 in CY 2016 is 525 metric tons (i.e., the amount that is the lesser of Panama's trade surplus and the specific quantity set out in that note for Panama for CY 2016).

Darci L. Vetter,

Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.