06-7780. U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement: Potential Economy-Wide and Selected Sectoral Effects

AGENCY:

United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION:

Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

September 14, 2006.

SUMMARY:

Following receipt of a request from the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on August 25, 2006, the Commission instituted investigation No. TA-2104-023, U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement: Potential Economy-wide and Selected Sectoral Effects, under section 2104(f) of the Trade Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804(f)), for the purpose of assessing the likely impact of the U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA) with Colombia on the United States economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Project Leaders James Stamps, Office of Economics (202-205-3227; [e-mail]) or Michelle Vaca-Senecal, Office of Industries (202-205-3356; [e-mail])]. For information on legal aspects, contact William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091; [e-mail]). The media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819; [e-mail]).

Background: As requested by the USTR, the Commission will prepare a report as specified in section 2104(f)(2)-(3) of the Trade Act of 2002 assessing the likely impact of the U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement with Colombia on the U.S. economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors, including the impact the agreement will have on the gross domestic product, exports and imports; aggregate employment and employment opportunities; the production, employment, and competitive position of industries likely to be significantly affected by the agreement; and the interests of U.S. consumers.

In preparing its assessment, the Commission will review available economic assessments regarding the agreement, including literature concerning any substantially equivalent proposed agreement, and will provide in its assessment a description of the analyses used and conclusions drawn in such literature, and a discussion of areas of consensus and divergence between the various analyses and conclusions, including those of the Commission regarding the agreement.

Section 2104(f)(2) requires that the Commission submit its report to the President and the Congress not later than 90 days after the President enters into the agreement, which he can do 90 days after he notifies the Congress of his intent to do so. On August 24, 2006, the President notified the Congress of his intent to enter into a TPA with Colombia. The USTR requested that the Commission provide the report as soon as possible.

Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on October 5, 2006, at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. All persons shall 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, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., September 25, 2006. Any prehearing briefs should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m., September 29, 2006, and any posthearing briefs or statements should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m., October 16, 2006; all such briefs and statements must be submitted in accordance with the requirements below under “written submissions.” In the event that, as of the close of business on September 25, 2006, 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 nonparticipant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-2000) after September 25, 2006, for information concerning 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. Submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements related 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., October 16, 2006.

All written submissions must conform with the provisions of § 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 of the rules requires that a signed original (or copy designated as an original) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be filed. In the event that confidential treatment of the document is requested, at least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which the confidential business information must be deleted (see the following paragraph for further information regarding confidential business information). The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for Electronic Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000 or [e-mail]).

Any submissions that contain confidential business information must also conform with the requirements of § 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the “confidential” or “nonconfidential” version, and that the confidential business information be clearly identified by means of brackets. 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.

The Commission intends to prepare only a public report in this investigation. The report that the Commission sends to the President and the Congress and makes available to the public will not contain confidential business information. Any confidential business information received by the Commission in this investigation and used in preparing the report will not be published in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.

The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) http://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing impaired individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. 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.

Issued: September 14, 2006.

Marilyn R. Abbott,

Secretary to the Commission.