[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5026-5027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2884]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-365]
U.S. Interests in APEC Trade Liberalization
AGENCY: International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for comments.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: January 24, 1996.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on September 28, 1995, of a request from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
Investigation No. 332-365, U.S. Interests in APEC Trade Liberalization,
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Frankena (202) 205-3265 or Joanne
Guth (202) 205-3264. Hearing impaired individuals are advised that
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD
terminal on (202) 205-1810.
BACKGROUND: In 1994, the 18 members of the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum agreed to the goal of attaining free and open
trade and investment among members by the year 2020 (2010 for developed
countries). At its November 1995 Ministerial and Leaders' Meetings,
APEC adopted an Action Agenda on trade and investment liberalization,
facilitation, and cooperation to be used as a blueprint by members in
formulating concrete plans for attaining the goal of free and open
trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The plans, which are
being formulated now and will be finalized in November 1996, will
specify both collective and individual actions to be taken in 15 issue
areas over the near to medium-term. The 15 issue areas broadly address
market access issues such as tariff and non-tariff measure
liberalization, liberalization of trade in services and investment, as
well as such topics as customs procedures, standards and conformity
assessment, intellectual property rights, government procurement,
competition policy, and deregulation.
To help the United States prepare for participation in the APEC
process in 1996, the USTR requested that the Commission prepare a two
part report. The first part is to provide a profile of each APEC
economy's general level of liberalization and remaining barriers to
trade and investment. The second part is to provide an indepth analysis
of further trade liberalization in the APEC region.
As requested by the USTR, in the first part of its report the
Commission will provide a profile for each APEC economy that covers the
following elements:
Estimated average tariff levels in total and by sector,
now and after full implementation of Uruguay Round commitments;
Nontariff or rulemaking Uruguay Round commitments
undertaken by each economy;
Areas where acceleration of Uruguay Round commitments or
further liberalization of Uruguay Round results by the economy may be
possible;
Remaining nontariff trade barriers (e.g., standards,
government procurement, intellectual property, regulatory systems),
including an analysis of sectors where tariff levels are irrelevant
because of such barriers;
Barriers to investment;
Barriers to trade in services;
Areas where U.S. industry has the greatest interest in
APEC liberalization; and
Other issues relevant to an assessment of each APEC
economy's overall level of liberalization.
The USTR stated that, for the present NAFTA members and Chile, a
review of estimated tariff levels and Uruguay Round commitments would
be sufficient.
As requested by the USTR, in the second part of its report, the
Commission will provide an indepth examination of tariff liberalization
in areas with a high percentage of intra-APEC trade. This analysis will
cover the following factors:
The value of U.S. trade affected (both imports and
exports) and calculated duties collected (imports), the percentage of
total U.S. trade and duties collected, all the foregoing in total, by
sector, and with APEC;
U.S. duty rates on these products (including the value of
duty-free trade
[[Page 5027]]
both now and after full Uruguay Round implementation);
The extent to which intra-APEC trade in these products is
also intra-NAFTA trade, and the extent to which trade between APEC and
non-APEC countries in these products is concentrated among major U.S.
trading partners;
The products most affected on the import and export sides;
The percentage of U.S. imports and exports affected in
particular sectors such as oilseeds, chemicals, wood, electronics,
etc.; and
A general description of how each other APEC economy would
be affected including, to the extent feasible, the percentage of
imports and exports of each APEC economy covered by these products, and
estimates of calculated duties saved for the United States in other
APEC economies and for other APEC economies in the U.S. market.
The Commission intends to provide its report to the USTR on May 31,
1996. As requested, the Commission's staff provided USTR with a list of
products with a high percentage of intra-APEC trade on October 13,
1995. Also, the Commission will provide USTR with statistical/technical
data, along with a briefing document, by March 27, 1996. The USTR
indicated that USTR may classify as confidential portions of the
Commission's report.
The ITC is seeking input for its study from all interested parties,
particularly in areas where U.S. industry has the greatest interest in
liberalization of APEC trade and investment.
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with this 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 April 3, 1996. 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., March 18, 1996. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 19, 1996. The deadline
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., April 10,
1996. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 18, 1996,
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 of the Commission at
202-205-2000 after March 18, 1996, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions
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 Sec. 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 the close
of business on April 10, 1996. All submissions should be addressed to
the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436.
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.
By order of the Commission.
Dated: February 6, 1996.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-2884 Filed 2-8-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
