95-10531. Extension of Comment Period Concerning Negotiations Regarding Chilean Accession to the North American Free Trade Agreement

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 21013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10531]



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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Extension of Comment Period Concerning Negotiations Regarding 
Chilean Accession to the North American Free Trade Agreement

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Extension of Comment Period Concerning Negotiations regarding 
Chile's entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

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SUMMARY: By a Federal Register published March 14, 1995, (60 FR 13746) 
the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) gave notice that the 
United States, along with the Governments of Canada and Mexico, expects 
to undertake negotiations with the Republic of Chile regarding its 
accession to (i.e., inclusion in) the NAFTA and that the Trade Policy 
Staff Committee (TPSC) invites public comments on the negotiations. A 
public hearing was held on April 25. USTR has decided to extend the 
deadline for the submission of written comments from April 28 to May 
12, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For procedural questions concerning public comments, contact Carolyn 
Frank, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, Office of the 
USTR, [phone]. All other questions should be directed to Jane 
Early, Director for Chilean Affairs, [phone], or James 
Southwick, Assistant General Counsel, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Public Comments and Testimony

    In the notice of March 14, 1995, the Chairman of the TPSC, in 
conformity with TPSC regulations (15 CFR part 2003), invited written 
comments of interested persons on the desirability and economic effects 
of Chilean accession to the NAFTA.
    Comments were particularly invited on:
    (a) Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of 
removal of all tariff barriers to trade between Chile and the United 
States and between and among Chile and the current NAFTA parties and, 
in the case of articles for which immediate elimination of tariffs is 
not appropriate, the appropriate staging schedule for such elimination.
    (b) Existing nontariff barriers to trade in goods between Chile and 
the United States and between and among Chile and the current NAFTA 
parties and the economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and 
consumers of removing those barriers.
    (c) Existing barriers to trade in services between Chile and the 
United States and between and among Chile and the current NAFTA 
parties, and economic costs and benefits to U.S. services firms and 
consumers of removing such barriers.
    (d) Existing restrictions on investment flows between Chile and the 
United States and between and among Chile and the current NAFTA 
parties, and the costs and benefits to U.S. investors and consumers of 
eliminating such restrictions.
    (e) Any other measures, policies, or practices of the Government of 
Chile falling within the scope of the NAFTA that should be addressed in 
the negotiations.
    In addition, comments were invited on the possible environmental 
effects of Chile's accession to the NAFTA, as well as the possible 
effects on basic workers' rights, working conditions, and living 
standards.
    The March 14, 1995, notice also (1) identified the range of Chilean 
articles (producers) for which U.S. tariffs and non-tariff measures may 
be reduced or eliminated as a result of the negotiations; (2) provided 
notice of a request by the United States Trade Representative to the 
International Trade Commission (Commission) for advice concerning the 
economic effects of Chilean accession; and (3) scheduled a public 
hearing for Tuesday, April 25, 1995.

2. Written Comments

    Written comments, in 20 typed copies, may be submitted no later 
than noon, Friday, May 12, 1995, to Carolyn Frank, Executive Secretary, 
Trade Policy Staff Committee, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, Room 501, 600 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20506. Comments should state clearly the position taken and should 
describe with particularity the evidence supporting that position. Any 
business confidential material must be clearly marked as such on the 
cover page (or later) and succeeding pages. Such submissions must be 
accompanied by a nonconfidential summary of the confidential 
information.
    Nonconfidential submissions will be available for public inspection 
at the USTR Reading Room, Room 101, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, 600 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. An 
appointment to review the file may be made by calling Brenda Webb (202) 
395-6186. The Reading Room is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12 
noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Frederick L. Montgomery,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 95-10531 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M