83_FR_43133 83 FR 42968 - Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China's Compliance With WTO Commitments

83 FR 42968 - Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China's Compliance With WTO Commitments

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 165 (August 24, 2018)

Page Range42968-42969
FR Document2018-18304

The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) invites interested persons to submit written comments and participate in a public hearing to assist the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to the Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42968-42969]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18304]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket Number USTR-2018-0030]


Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning 
China's Compliance With WTO Commitments

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) invites 
interested persons to submit written comments and participate in a 
public hearing to assist the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to the 
Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection 
with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

DATES: September 19, 2018 at midnight EDT: Deadline for submission of 
comments, and requests to appear and summaries of testimony at the 
October 3, 2018 public hearing. October 3, 2018: The TPSC will convene 
a public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington DC 
20508, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: USTR strongly prefers electronic submissions made through 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. The 
instructions for submitting notification of intent to testify and/or 
written comments are in sections 3 and 4 below. The docket number is 
USTR-2018-0030. For alternatives to on-line submissions, contact Yvonne 
Jamison at (202) 395-3475 before transmitting a comment and in advance 
of the relevant deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475 for 
procedural questions concerning written comments or participation in 
the public hearing. Direct all other questions to Terrence J. McCartin, 
Acting Assistant United States Trade Representative for China Affairs, 
at (202) 395-3900, or Philip D. Chen, Chief Counsel for China 
Enforcement, at (202) 395-3150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background

    China became a Member of the WTO on December 11, 2001. In 
accordance with section 421 of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 
(P.L. 106-286), USTR is required to submit, by December 11 of each 
year, a report to Congress on China's compliance with commitments made 
in connection with its accession to the WTO, including both 
multilateral commitments and any bilateral commitments made to the 
United States. In accordance with section 421, and to assist it in 
preparing this year's report, the TPSC is soliciting public comments. 
You can find last year's report on USTR's website at https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/Press/Reports/China%202017%20WTO%20Report.pdf.
    The terms of China's accession to the WTO are contained in the 
Protocol on the Accession of the People's Republic of China (including 
its annexes) (Protocol), the Report of the Working Party on the 
Accession of China (Working Party Report), and the WTO agreements. You 
can find the Protocol and Working Party Report on the WTO website at 
http://docsonline.wto.org (document symbols: WT/L/432, WT/

[[Page 42969]]

MIN(01)/3, WT/MIN(01)/3/Add.1, WT/MIN(01)/3/Add.2).

2. Topics on Which the TPSC Seeks Information

    The TPSC invites written comments and/or oral testimony of 
interested persons on China's compliance with commitments made in 
connection with its accession to the WTO, including, but not limited 
to, commitments in the following areas:
    A. Trading rights.
    B. Import regulation (e.g., tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, quotas, 
import licenses).
    C. Export regulation.
    D. Internal policies affecting trade (e.g., subsidies, standards 
and technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, 
government procurement, trade-related investment measures, taxes and 
charges levied on imports and exports).
    E. Intellectual property rights (including intellectual property 
rights enforcement).
    F. Services.
    G. Rule of law issues (e.g., transparency, judicial review, uniform 
administration of laws and regulations) and status of legal reform.
    H. Other WTO commitments.
    In addition, given the United States' view that China should be 
held accountable as a full participant in, and beneficiary of, the 
international trading system, USTR requests that interested persons 
specifically identify unresolved compliance issues that warrant review 
and evaluation by USTR's China Enforcement Task Force.

3. Notice of Public Hearing

    The TPSC will hold a hearing on October 3, 2018, beginning at 9:30 
a.m., to receive information regarding China's compliance with WTO 
commitments. The hearing will be held in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street 
NW, Washington, DC 20508, and will be open to the public and to the 
press. A transcript of the hearing will be available on 
www.regulations.gov within approximately two weeks after the date of 
the hearing.
    All interested parties wishing to make an oral presentation at the 
hearing must submit, following the Requirements for Submissions below, 
the name, address, telephone number, and email address, if available, 
of the witness(es) representing their organization no later than 
midnight on September 19, 2018. Requests to present oral testimony must 
be accompanied by a written summary of the proposed testimony, in 
English. The TPSC will limit oral testimony to five-minute 
presentations that summarize or supplement information contained in 
briefs or statements submitted for the record to allow for possible 
questions from the TPSC.

4. Requirements for Submissions

    In order to be assured of consideration, we must receive your 
notification of intent to testify and/or written comments in English by 
11:59 p.m. on September 19, 2018. USTR strongly encourages commenters 
to make on-line submissions, using www.regulations.gov. On the first 
page, please identify the submission as ``China's WTO Compliance.''
    To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number 
USTR-2018-0030 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 website, please consult the resources provided on 
the website by clicking on ``How to Use Regulations.gov'' on the bottom 
of the home page. USTR will not accept hand-delivered submissions.
    The www.regulations.gov website allows users to submit comments by 
filling in a ``type comment'' field or by attaching a document using an 
``upload file'' field. USTR prefers that you submit comments in an 
attached document. If you attach a document, it is sufficient to type 
``see attached'' in the ``type comment'' field. USTR prefers 
submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If you 
use an application other than those two, please indicate the name of 
the application in the ``type comment'' field.
    Filers submitting comments containing no business confidential 
information should name their file using the name of the person or 
entity submitting the comments. 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 
information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top 
of that page. Filers of submissions containing business confidential 
information also must submit a public version of their comments that we 
will place in the docket for public inspection. 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.
    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 that you file submissions through 
www.regulations.gov. You must make any alternative arrangements with 
Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475 before transmitting a comment and in 
advance of the relevant deadline.
    USTR will post comments in the docket for public inspection, except 
business confidential information. You can view comments on the https://www.regulations.gov website by entering docket number USTR-2018-0030 
in the search field on the home page. General information concerning 
USTR is available at www.ustr.gov.

Edward Gresser,
Chair of the Trade Policy Staff Committee, Office of the United States 
Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-18304 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F8-P

42968 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices methodology the commenter used to begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Any with the commitments made in derive the estimate. Commenters should page containing business confidential connection with its accession to the express estimates within the following information must be clearly marked World Trade Organization (WTO). value ranges: less than $5 million; $5 ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the DATES: September 19, 2018 at midnight million to $25 million; $25 million to top of that page. Filers of submissions EDT: Deadline for submission of $50 million; $50 million to $100 containing business confidential comments, and requests to appear and million; $100 million to $500 million; information also must submit a public summaries of testimony at the October or, over $500 million. These estimates version of their comments that we will 3, 2018 public hearing. October 3, 2018: will help USTR conduct comparative place in the docket for public The TPSC will convene a public hearing analyses of a barrier’s effect over a range inspection. The file name of the public in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, of industries. version should begin with the character Washington DC 20508, beginning at 9:30 4. Requirements for Submissions ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be a.m. followed by the name of the person or In order to be assured of ADDRESSES: USTR strongly prefers entity submitting the comments. consideration, we must receive your Please do not attach separate cover electronic submissions made through written comments in English by 11:59 letters to electronic submissions; rather, the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// p.m. on October 30, 2018. USTR include any information that might www.regulations.gov. The instructions strongly encourages commenters to appear in a cover letter in the comments for submitting notification of intent to make on-line submissions, using themselves. Similarly, to the extent testify and/or written comments are in www.regulations.gov. On the first page, possible, please include any exhibits, sections 3 and 4 below. The docket please identify the submission as annexes, or other attachments in the number is USTR–2018–0030. For ‘‘Comments Regarding Foreign Trade same file as the submission itself, not as alternatives to on-line submissions, Barriers to U.S. Exports for 2019 separate files. contact Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395– Reporting.’’ Commenters providing As noted, USTR strongly urges that 3475 before transmitting a comment and information on foreign trade barriers in you file submissions through in advance of the relevant deadline. more than one country should, www.regulations.gov. You must make FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: whenever possible, provide a separate any alternative arrangements with Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395–3475 for submission for each country. Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395–3475 procedural questions concerning written To submit comments via comments or participation in the public before transmitting a comment and in www.regulations.gov, enter docket hearing. Direct all other questions to advance of the relevant deadline. number USTR–2018–0029 on the home Terrence J. McCartin, Acting Assistant USTR will post comments in the page and click ‘‘search.’’ The site will United States Trade Representative for provide a search-results page listing all docket for public inspection, except business confidential information. You China Affairs, at (202) 395–3900, or documents associated with this docket. Philip D. Chen, Chief Counsel for China Find a reference to this notice and click can view comments on the https:// www.regulations.gov website by Enforcement, at (202) 395–3150. on the link entitled ‘‘comment now!’’. For further information on using the entering docket number USTR–2018– SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: www.regulations.gov website, please 0029 in the search field on the home page. General information concerning 1. Background consult the resources provided on the website by clicking on ‘‘How to Use USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. China became a Member of the WTO Regulations.gov’’ on the bottom of the Edward Gresser, on December 11, 2001. In accordance home page. USTR will not accept hand- with section 421 of the U.S.-China Chair of the Trade Policy Staff Committee, delivered submissions. Office of the United States Trade Relations Act of 2000 (P.L. 106–286), The www.regulations.gov website Representative. USTR is required to submit, by allows users to submit comments by [FR Doc. 2018–18287 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] December 11 of each year, a report to filling in a ‘‘type comment’’ field or by Congress on China’s compliance with BILLING CODE 3290–F8–P attaching a document using an ‘‘upload commitments made in connection with file’’ field. USTR prefers that you submit its accession to the WTO, including comments in an attached document. If OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES both multilateral commitments and any you attach a document, please identify TRADE REPRESENTATIVE bilateral commitments made to the the name of the country to which the United States. In accordance with [Docket Number USTR–2018–0030] section 421, and to assist it in preparing submission pertains in the ‘‘type comment’’ field. For example: See this year’s report, the TPSC is soliciting Request for Comments and Notice of public comments. You can find last attached comments with respect to Public Hearing Concerning China’s (name of country). USTR prefers year’s report on USTR’s website at Compliance With WTO Commitments https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/ submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If you use an AGENCY: Office of the United States Press/Reports/China%202017 application other than those two, please Trade Representative. %20WTO%20Report.pdf. indicate the name of the application in ACTION: Notice of public hearing and The terms of China’s accession to the the ‘‘type comment’’ field. request for comments. WTO are contained in the Protocol on Filers submitting comments the Accession of the People’s Republic containing no business confidential SUMMARY: The interagency Trade Policy of China (including its annexes) daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES information should name their file using Staff Committee (TPSC) invites (Protocol), the Report of the Working the name of the person or entity interested persons to submit written Party on the Accession of China submitting the comments. For any comments and participate in a public (Working Party Report), and the WTO comments submitted electronically hearing to assist the Office of the United agreements. You can find the Protocol containing business confidential States Trade Representative (USTR) in and Working Party Report on the WTO information, the file name of the the preparation of its annual report to website at http://docsonline.wto.org business confidential version should the Congress on China’s compliance (document symbols: WT/L/432, WT/ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 165 / Friday, August 24, 2018 / Notices 42969 MIN(01)/3, WT/MIN(01)/3/Add.1, WT/ summarize or supplement information Please do not attach separate cover MIN(01)/3/Add.2). contained in briefs or statements letters to electronic submissions; rather, submitted for the record to allow for include any information that might 2. Topics on Which the TPSC Seeks possible questions from the TPSC. appear in a cover letter in the comments Information themselves. Similarly, to the extent The TPSC invites written comments 4. Requirements for Submissions possible, please include any exhibits, and/or oral testimony of interested In order to be assured of annexes, or other attachments in the persons on China’s compliance with consideration, we must receive your same file as the submission itself, not as commitments made in connection with notification of intent to testify and/or separate files. its accession to the WTO, including, but written comments in English by 11:59 As noted, USTR strongly urges that not limited to, commitments in the p.m. on September 19, 2018. USTR you file submissions through following areas: strongly encourages commenters to www.regulations.gov. You must make A. Trading rights. make on-line submissions, using any alternative arrangements with B. Import regulation (e.g., tariffs, www.regulations.gov. On the first page, Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395–3475 tariff-rate quotas, quotas, import please identify the submission as before transmitting a comment and in licenses). ‘‘China’s WTO Compliance.’’ advance of the relevant deadline. C. Export regulation. To submit comments via USTR will post comments in the D. Internal policies affecting trade www.regulations.gov, enter docket docket for public inspection, except (e.g., subsidies, standards and technical number USTR–2018–0030 on the home business confidential information. You regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary page and click ‘‘search.’’ The site will can view comments on the https:// measures, government procurement, provide a search-results page listing all www.regulations.gov website by trade-related investment measures, taxes documents associated with this docket. entering docket number USTR–2018– and charges levied on imports and Find a reference to this notice and click 0030 in the search field on the home exports). on the link entitled ‘‘comment now!’’. page. General information concerning E. Intellectual property rights USTR is available at www.ustr.gov. For further information on using the (including intellectual property rights www.regulations.gov website, please Edward Gresser, enforcement). consult the resources provided on the Chair of the Trade Policy Staff Committee, F. Services. G. Rule of law issues (e.g., website by clicking on ‘‘How to Use Office of the United States Trade Regulations.gov’’ on the bottom of the Representative. transparency, judicial review, uniform administration of laws and regulations) home page. USTR will not accept hand- [FR Doc. 2018–18304 Filed 8–23–18; 8:45 am] and status of legal reform. delivered submissions. BILLING CODE 3290–F8–P H. Other WTO commitments. The www.regulations.gov website In addition, given the United States’ allows users to submit comments by view that China should be held filling in a ‘‘type comment’’ field or by DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION accountable as a full participant in, and attaching a document using an ‘‘upload beneficiary of, the international trading file’’ field. USTR prefers that you submit Federal Aviation Administration system, USTR requests that interested comments in an attached document. If you attach a document, it is sufficient to Notice of Intent To Rule on Disposal of persons specifically identify unresolved Aeronautical Property at McGhee compliance issues that warrant review type ‘‘see attached’’ in the ‘‘type comment’’ field. USTR prefers Tyson Airport, Alcoa, TN (TYS) and evaluation by USTR’s China Enforcement Task Force. submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or AGENCY: Federal Aviation Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If you use an Administration (FAA), DOT. 3. Notice of Public Hearing application other than those two, please ACTION: Notice. The TPSC will hold a hearing on indicate the name of the application in October 3, 2018, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the ‘‘type comment’’ field. SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation to receive information regarding China’s Filers submitting comments Administration is requesting public compliance with WTO commitments. containing no business confidential comment on a request by the The hearing will be held in Rooms 1 information should name their file using Metropolitan Knoxville Airport and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington, the name of the person or entity Authority (MKAA), to release DC 20508, and will be open to the submitting the comments. For any approximately 59.093 acres of land at public and to the press. A transcript of comments submitted electronically McGhee Tyson Airport from federal the hearing will be available on containing business confidential obligations. This release is being issued www.regulations.gov within information, the file name of the for the relocation of the existing approximately two weeks after the date business confidential version should alignment of State Route 115 (U.S. 129/ of the hearing. begin with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Any Alcoa Highway) at the location All interested parties wishing to make page containing business confidential commonly referred to as the Hunt Road an oral presentation at the hearing must information must be clearly marked interchange. submit, following the Requirements for ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’ on the DATES: Comments must be received on Submissions below, the name, address, top of that page. Filers of submissions or before September 24, 2018. telephone number, and email address, if containing business confidential ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice available, of the witness(es) representing information also must submit a public may be mailed or delivered in triplicate daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES their organization no later than version of their comments that we will to the FAA at the following address: midnight on September 19, 2018. place in the docket for public Memphis Airports District Office, Attn: Requests to present oral testimony must inspection. The file name of the public Jamal Stovall, Community Planner, 2600 be accompanied by a written summary version should begin with the character Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite 2250, of the proposed testimony, in English. ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be Memphis, TN 38118. The TPSC will limit oral testimony to followed by the name of the person or In addition, one copy of any five-minute presentations that entity submitting the comments. comments submitted to the FAA must VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Aug 23, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24AUN1.SGM 24AUN1


Document Created: 2018-08-24 04:13:23
Document Modified: 2018-08-24 04:13:23
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of public hearing and request for comments.
DatesSeptember 19, 2018 at midnight EDT: Deadline for submission of comments, and requests to appear and summaries of testimony at the October 3, 2018 public hearing. October 3, 2018: The TPSC will convene a public hearing in Rooms 1 and 2, 1724 F Street NW, Washington DC 20508, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
ContactYvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475 for procedural questions concerning written comments or participation in the public hearing. Direct all other questions to Terrence J. McCartin, Acting Assistant United States Trade Representative for China Affairs, at (202) 395-3900, or Philip D. Chen, Chief Counsel for China Enforcement, at (202) 395-3150.
FR Citation83 FR 42968 
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