80 FR 50377 - Request for Public Comments To Compile the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 160 (August 19, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 160 (August 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 50377-50379 | |
| FR Document | 2015-20524 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 50377-50379] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-20524] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Request for Public Comments To Compile the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 181 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2241), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is required to publish annually the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). With this notice, the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting interested persons to submit comments to assist it in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services, and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the NTE. The TPSC invites written comments from the public on issues that USTR should examine in preparing the NTE. Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (``Section 1377'') requires the USTR to review annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the United States. In past years, USTR has solicited comments with regard to Section 1377 in a separate Federal Register Notice. In 2016, USTR is collecting information regarding the trade barriers pertinent to the conduct of the review called for in Section 1377 through this notice. DATES: Public comments are due not later than 11:59 p.m., October 28, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submissions should be made via the Internet at www.regulations.gov docket number USTR 2015-0014. For alternatives to on-line submissions please contact Yvonne Jamison (202) 395-3475. The public is strongly encouraged to file submissions electronically rather than by facsimile or mail. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NTE sets out an inventory of the most important foreign barriers affecting U.S. exports of goods and services, U.S. foreign direct investment, and protection of intellectual property rights. The inventory facilitates U.S. negotiations aimed at reducing or eliminating these barriers. The report also provides a valuable tool in enforcing U.S. trade laws and strengthening the rules-based trading system. The 2015 NTE Report may be found on USTR's Internet Home Page (http://www.ustr.gov) under the tab ``Reports''. To ensure compliance with the NTE's statutory mandate and the Obama Administration's commitment to [[Page 50378]] focus on the most significant foreign trade barriers, USTR will be guided by the existence of active private sector interest in deciding which restrictions to include in the NTE. Topics on which the TPSC Seeks Information: To assist USTR in preparing the NTE, commenters should submit information related to one or more of the following categories of foreign trade barriers: (1) Import policies (e.g., tariffs and other import charges, quantitative restrictions, import licensing, and customs barriers); (2) Government procurement restrictions (e.g., ``buy national policies'' and closed bidding); (3) Export subsidies (e.g., export financing on preferential terms, subsidies provided to equipment manufacturers contingent on export and agricultural export subsidies that displace U.S. exports in third country markets); (4) Lack of intellectual property protection (e.g., inadequate patent, copyright, and trademark regimes); (5) Services barriers (e.g., limits on the range of financial services offered by foreign financial institutions, regulation of international data flows, restrictions on the use of data processing, quotas on imports of foreign films, unnecessary or discriminatory technical regulations or standards for telecommunications services and barriers to the provision of services by professionals); (6) Investment barriers (e.g., limitations on foreign equity participation and on access to foreign government-funded R&D consortia, local content, technology transfer and export performance requirements, and restrictions on repatriation of earnings, capital, fees, and royalties); (7) Government-tolerated anticompetitive conduct of state-owned or private firms that restrict the sale or purchase of U.S. goods or services in the foreign country's markets; (8) Trade restrictions affecting electronic commerce (e.g., tariff and non-tariff measures, burdensome and discriminatory regulations and standards, and discriminatory taxation); (9) Trade restrictions implemented through unwarranted Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, including unwarranted measures justified for purposes of protecting food safety, and animal and plant life or health; (10) Trade restrictions implemented through unwarranted standards, conformity assessment procedures, or technical regulations (Technical Barriers to Trade) that may have as their objective protecting national security requirements, preventing deceptive practices, or protecting human health or safety, animal or plant life or health, or the environment, but that can be formulated or implemented in ways that create significant barriers to trade (including unnecessary or discriminatory technical regulations or standards for telecommunications products); and (11) Other barriers (e.g., barriers that encompass more than one category, such as bribery and corruption, or that affect a single sector). In addition, Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (``Section 1377'') requires the USTR to review annually the operation and effectiveness of all U.S. trade agreements regarding telecommunications products and services that are in force with respect to the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether any act, policy, or practice of a country that has entered into a trade agreement or other telecommunications trade agreement with the United States is inconsistent with the terms of such agreement or otherwise denies U.S. firms, within the context of the terms of such agreements, mutually advantageous market opportunities for telecommunications products and services. In past years, USTR has solicited comments with regard to Section 1377 in a separate Federal Register Notice. For 2016, USTR is collecting the information with regard to the trade barriers pertinent to the Section 1377 review through this notice. Furthermore, commenters are invited to identify those barriers covered in submissions that may operate as ``localization barriers to trade''. Localization barriers are measures designed to protect, favor, or stimulate domestic industries, services providers, and or intellectual property at the expense of goods services or intellectual property from other countries, including the provision of subsidies linked to local production. For more information on localization barriers, please go to http://www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/localization-barriers. In responding to this notice, commenters should place particular emphasis on any practices that may violate U.S. trade agreements. The TPSC is also interested in receiving new or updated information pertinent to the barriers covered in the 2015 NTE as well as information on new barriers. If USTR does not include in the NTE information that it receives pursuant to this notice, it will maintain the information for potential use in future discussions or negotiations with trading partners. Estimate of Increase in Exports: Each comment should include an estimate of the potential increase in U.S. exports that would result from removing any foreign trade barrier the comment identifies, as well as a description of the methodology the commenter used to derive the estimate. Estimates should be expressed within the following value ranges: Less than $5 million; $5 to $25 million; $25 million to $50 million; $50 million to $100 million; $100 million to $500 million; or over $500 million. These estimates will help USTR conduct comparative analyses of a barrier's effect over a range of industries. Requirements for Submissions: Commenters providing information on foreign trade barriers in more than one country should, whenever possible, provide a separate submission for each country. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make on-line submissions, using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Comments should be submitted under docket number USTR 2015-0014. Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) ``Comments Regarding Foreign Trade Barriers To U.S. Exports for 2016 Reporting.'' In order to be assured of consideration, comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m., October 28, 2015. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make on-line submissions, using the www.regulations.gov Web site. To submit comments via www.regulations.gov enter docket number USTR 2015-0014 on the home page and click ``search.'' The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this notice and click on the link entitled ``Comment Now!'' (For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page). The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a ``Type Comment'' field, or by attaching a document using an ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers that comments be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, please identify the name of the country to which the submission pertains in the ``Type Comment'' field. For example: ``See attached comments with respect to (name of country)''. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or [[Page 50379]] Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate the name of the application in the ``Type Comment'' field. For any comments submitted electronically containing business confidential information, the file name of the business confidential version should begin with the characters ``BC''. Any page containing business confidential must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page. Filers of submissions containing business confidential information must also submit a public version of their comments. The file name of the public version should begin with the character ``P''. The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential information should name their file using the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files. As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements must be made with Ms. Jamison in advance of transmitting a comment. Ms. Jamison should be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information concerning USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. Comments will be placed in the docket and open to public inspection, except confidential business information. Comments may be viewed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the relevant docket number in the search field on the home page. Edward Gresser, Acting Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. 2015-20524 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290-F5-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices 50377
To make a submission via http:// submissions as requested, please contact ACTION: Notice.
www.regulations.gov, enter the docket the GSP program at USTR to arrange for
number for this review—USTR–2015– an alternative method of transmission. Pursuant to section 181 of the
SUMMARY:
0013—in the ‘‘Search for’’ field on the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19
Business Confidential Petitions U.S.C. 2241), the Office of the United
home page and click ‘‘Search.’’ The site
will provide a search-results page listing An interested party requesting that States Trade Representative (USTR) is
all documents associated with this information contained in a submission required to publish annually the
docket. Find a reference to this notice be treated as business confidential National Trade Estimate Report on
by selecting ‘‘Notice’’ under ‘‘Document information must certify that such Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). With this
Type’’ in the ‘‘Filter Results by’’ section information is business confidential and notice, the Trade Policy Staff Committee
on the left side of the screen and click would not customarily be released to (TPSC) is requesting interested persons
on the link entitled ‘‘Comment Now.’’ the public by the submitter. to submit comments to assist it in
(For further information on using the Confidential business information must identifying significant barriers to U.S.
http://www.regulations.gov Web site, be clearly designated as such. The exports of goods, services, and U.S.
please consult the resources provided submission must be marked ‘‘BUSINESS foreign direct investment for inclusion
on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to CONFIDENTIAL’’ at the top and bottom in the NTE. The TPSC invites written
Use This Site’’ on the left side of the of the cover page and each succeeding comments from the public on issues that
home page.) The http:// page, and the submission should USTR should examine in preparing the
www.regulations.gov Web site allows indicate, via brackets, the specific NTE.
users to provide comments by filling in information that is confidential. Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade
a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field or by attaching Additionally, ‘‘Business Confidential’’ and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19
a document using the ‘‘Upload file(s)’’ must be included in the ‘‘Type U.S.C. 3106) (‘‘Section 1377’’) requires
field. The GSP Subcommittee prefers Comment’’ field. For any submission the USTR to review annually the
that submissions be provided in an containing business confidential operation and effectiveness of all U.S.
attached document. information, a non-confidential version trade agreements regarding
Submissions must include, at the must be submitted separately (i.e., not as telecommunications products and
beginning of the submission, or on the part of the same submission with the services that are in force with respect to
first page (if an attachment), the confidential version), indicating where the United States. In past years, USTR
following text (in bold and underlined): confidential information has been has solicited comments with regard to
(1) ‘‘2015 GSP Annual Review’’; and (2) redacted. The non-confidential version Section 1377 in a separate Federal
the eight-digit HTSUS subheading will be placed in the docket and open Register Notice. In 2016, USTR is
number in which the product is to public inspection. collecting information regarding the
classified (for product petitions) or the Business confidential submissions trade barriers pertinent to the conduct of
name of the country (for country that are submitted without the required the review called for in Section 1377
practice petitions). Furthermore, markings, or are not accompanied by a through this notice.
interested parties submitting petitions properly marked non-confidential DATES: Public comments are due not
that request action with respect to version, as set forth above, might not be later than 11:59 p.m., October 28, 2015.
specific products should also list at the accepted or may be considered public ADDRESSES: Submissions should be
beginning of the submission, or on the documents. made via the Internet at
first page (if an attachment) the www.regulations.gov docket number
following information: (1) The requested Public Viewing of Review Submissions
USTR 2015–0014. For alternatives to on-
action; and (2) if applicable, the Submissions in response to this line submissions please contact Yvonne
beneficiary developing country. notice, except for information granted Jamison (202) 395–3475. The public is
Submissions should not exceed 30 ‘‘business confidential’’ status under 15 strongly encouraged to file submissions
single-spaced, standard letter-size pages CFR part 2003.6, will be available for electronically rather than by facsimile or
in 12-point type, including attachments. public viewing pursuant to 15 CFR part mail.
Any data attachments to the submission 2007.6 at http://www.regulations.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
should be included in the same file as upon completion of processing. Such
the submission itself, and not as Questions regarding this notice should
submissions may be viewed by entering
separate files. be directed to Yvonne Jamison at (202)
the docket number USTR–2015–0013 in
Each submitter will receive a 395–3475.
the search field at http://
submission tracking number upon www.regulations.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NTE
completion of the submissions sets out an inventory of the most
procedure at http:// William D. Jackson, important foreign barriers affecting U.S.
www.regulations.gov. The tracking Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative exports of goods and services, U.S.
number will be the submitter’s for the Generalized System of Preferences, foreign direct investment, and
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. protection of intellectual property
confirmation that the submission was
received into http:// [FR Doc. 2015–20456 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am] rights. The inventory facilitates U.S.
www.regulations.gov. The confirmation BILLING CODE 3290–F5–P negotiations aimed at reducing or
should be kept for the submitter’s eliminating these barriers. The report
records. USTR is not responsible for any also provides a valuable tool in
delays in a submission due to technical OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES enforcing U.S. trade laws and
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
difficulties, nor is it able to provide any strengthening the rules-based trading
technical assistance for the http:// system. The 2015 NTE Report may be
Request for Public Comments To
www.regulations.gov Web site. found on USTR’s Internet Home Page
Compile the National Trade Estimate
Documents not submitted in accordance (http://www.ustr.gov) under the tab
Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
with these instructions may not be ‘‘Reports’’. To ensure compliance with
considered in this review. If an AGENCY: Office of the United States the NTE’s statutory mandate and the
interested party is unable to provide Trade Representative. Obama Administration’s commitment to
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices 50379
Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. SUMMARY: On August 6, 2015, the FAA
is in an application other than those Any alternative arrangements must be published a notice of meeting to
two, please indicate the name of the made with Ms. Jamison in advance of announce that the FAA will support
application in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ transmitting a comment. Ms. Jamison seven public meetings during August
field. For any comments submitted should be contacted at (202) 395–3475. and September, 2015. These meetings
electronically containing business General information concerning USTR will be hosted by the six unmanned
confidential information, the file name is available at www.ustr.gov. Comments aircraft system (UAS) Test Sites and
of the business confidential version will be placed in the docket and open UAS Center of Excellence (COE). This
should begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. to public inspection, except confidential notice corrects the point of contact for
Any page containing business business information. Comments may be the Griffiss UAS Test Site.
confidential must be clearly marked viewed on the http://
‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the DATES: Please see below for the date,
www.regulations.gov Web site by
top of that page. Filers of submissions time, and location of the meetings.
entering the relevant docket number in
containing business confidential the search field on the home page. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The
information must also submit a public Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration
version of their comments. The file Edward Gresser,
Office, AFS–80, Federal Aviation
name of the public version should begin Acting Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. Administration at: 9-AFS-UAS-
with the character ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and [FR Doc. 2015–20524 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am] Inquiries@faa.gov.
‘‘P’’ should be followed by the name of BILLING CODE 3290–F5–P
the person or entity submitting the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August
comments or reply comments. Filers 6, 2015, the FAA published a notice of
submitting comments containing no meeting (80 FR 47021) to announce the
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION dates, times, and locations of seven
business confidential information
should name their file using the name Federal Aviation Administration meetings to be held at UAS test sites
of the person or entity submitting the and the UAS Center of Excellence in
comments. Please do not attach separate [Docket No. FAA–2015–3323] August and September, 2015. The FAA
cover letters to electronic submissions; incorrectly listed the point of contact for
Notice of Public Meetings for the Griffiss UAS Test Site public
rather include any information that
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Sites meeting. This notice corrects that error.
might appear in a cover letter in the
and Center of Excellence; Correction
comments themselves. Similarly to the Correction
extent possible, please include any AGENCY: Federal Aviation
exhibits, annexes, or other attachments Administration (FAA), Department of In the notice published on August 6,
in the same file as the submission itself, Transportation (DOT). 2015, at 80 FR 47021, the contact
not as separate files. information for the Griffiss UAS Test
ACTION: Notice of public meetings;
As noted, USTR strongly urges Site contained in the table on page
correction.
submitters to file comments through 47022 is corrected to read as follows:
Date, time, and
Site Point of contact Web site
location of meeting
UAS Test Sites
Griffiss International Airport Test Tuesday, September 29, 2015, Russell Stark, Commissioner, www.nuairalliance.org.
Site. 2pm–4pm (local), Mohawk Val- Oneida County Department of
ley Community College, 1101 Aviation, (315) 736–4171,
Sherman Drive, Payne Hall rstark@ocgov.net.
331, Utica, NY.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 7, ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect I. Introduction
2015. investigation.
Interested persons may petition
William E. Crozier,
NHTSA requesting that the Agency
Acting Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems SUMMARY: This notice states the reasons initiate an investigation to determine
Integration Office. for denying a petition (DP 15–003) whether a motor vehicle or item of
[FR Doc. 2015–20525 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am] submitted to NHTSA under 49 U.S.C. replacement equipment does not
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 30162, 49 CFR part 522, requesting that comply with an applicable motor
the agency open an investigation into vehicle safety standard or contains a
delamination or separation of the back defect that relates to motor vehicle
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION glass from the convertible top material safety. 49 U.S.C. 30162(a) (2): 49 CFR
on model year 2005 Chrysler Crossfire 522.1. Upon receipt of a properly filed
National Highway Traffic Safety vehicles. petition, the agency conducts a
Administration technical review of the petition,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
John Abbott, Office of Defects material submitted with the petition,
Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, and any additional information. 49
DP15–003 Investigation (ODI), NHTSA; 1200 New
U.S.C. 30162(c); 49 CFR 552.6. After
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC
considering the technical review and
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 20590. Telephone: (202) 366–5221.
taking into account appropriate factors,
Safety Administration (NHTSA), Email: John.Abbott@dot.gov.
which may include, among others,
Department of Transportation (DOT). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: allocation of agency resources, agency
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:58:33
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:58:33
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | Public comments are due not later than 11:59 p.m., October 28, 2015. | |
| Contact | Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 50377 |
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