94-12643. U.S. Schedule of Services Commitments

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12643]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 24, 1994]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-354]

 

U.S. Schedule of Services Commitments

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: May 13, 1994.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on April 18, 1994, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-354, U.S. Schedule of Services Commitments, under 
section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) for the 
purpose of compiling and maintaining the official U.S. Schedule of 
Services Commitments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to the 
investigation may be obtained from Mr. Norman McLennan (202-205-3440) 
or Mr. Richard Brown (202-205-3438). For information on the legal 
aspects of this investigation, contact Mr. William Gearhart of the 
Commission's Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). Hearing 
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be 
obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.

BACKGROUND: In his letter the USTR requested that the Commission 
initiate an ongoing program to compile and maintain the United States 
Schedule of Services Commitments. As stated in the letter, the 
establishment of such a schedule is required by the General Agreement 
on Trade in Services (GATS), negotiated as part of the recently 
completed GATT Uruguay Round of multilateral trade agreements. The GATS 
provides for the establishment of national schedules of commitments, 
wherein signatory countries set forth their respective national 
commitments pertaining to specific service sectors. These schedules 
bind countries to maintain a minimum level of market access and to a 
national treatment obligation. In addition, GATS also provides for a 
broad most-favored-nation (MFN) obligation, unless nations provide a 
list of exceptions for MFN treatment. The schedules and MFN exceptions 
provide the basis for efforts to further liberalize international trade 
in services.
    The letter requested that the Commission (1) compile an initial 
U.S. Schedule reflecting the final services commitments made in the 
Uruguay Round; and (2) work with USTR to update the U.S. Schedule, as 
necessary, to reflect all future commitments resulting from the post-
Uruguay Round negotiations on financial, telecommunication, and 
maritime services, and future bilateral and multilateral services 
negotiations undertaken by USTR. The USTR requested that the Commission 
compile an initial U.S. Schedule by January 1, 1995.

    Issued: May 16, 1994.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-12643 Filed 5-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P