83 FR 54164 - Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 208 (October 26, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 208 (October 26, 2018)
| Page Range | 54164-54165 | |
| FR Document | 2018-23569 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 208 (Friday, October 26, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 54164-54165] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-23569] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE [Docket Number USTR-2018-0034] Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for comments and notice of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On October 16, 2018, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into negotiations with Japan for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public comments on a proposed U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement including U.S. interests and priorities, in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions. You can provide comments in writing and orally at a public hearing. Our aim in negotiations with Japan is to address both tariff and non-tariff barriers and to achieve fairer, more balanced trade. DATES: November 26, 2018: Deadline for the submission of written comments, and for written notification of your intent to testify, as well as a summary of your testimony at the public hearing. December 10, 2018: The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will hold a public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington DC 20436. ADDRESSES: You should submit notifications of intent to testify and written comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments in parts 2 and 3 below. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact [[Page 54165]] Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-3475. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475. Direct all other questions to David Boling, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, at (202) 395-5070. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background The decision to launch negotiations for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement is an important step toward achieving fairer, more balanced trade with Japan and was preceded by bilateral consultations on trade under the U.S.-Japan Economic Dialogue. In April 2018, new bilateral trade and investment consultations were announced, led by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for the United States, in order to intensify engagement on bilateral trade. These consultations culminated in the announcement in September 2018 that the United States and Japan plan to enter into negotiations for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. See https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/joint-statement-united-states-japan/. On October 16, 2018, following consultations with relevant Congressional committees, the United States Trade Representative informed Congress that the President intends to commence negotiations with Japan for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. 2. Public Comment and Hearing The TPSC invites interested parties to submit comments and/or oral testimony to assist USTR as it develops its negotiating objectives and positions for the agreement, including with regard to objectives identified in section 102 of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (19 U.S.C. 4201). In particular, the TPSC invites interested parties to comment on issues including, but not limited to, the following: a. General and product-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed agreement. b. Relevant barriers to trade in goods and services between the United States and Japan that should be addressed in the negotiations. c. Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal or reduction of tariffs and removal or reduction of non-tariff barriers on articles traded with Japan. d. Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under the proposed agreement, including comments on: i. Product-specific import or export interests or barriers. ii. Experience with particular measures that should be addressed in the negotiations. iii. Ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities in the context of the proposed agreement. e. Customs and trade facilitation issues that should be addressed in the negotiations. f. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade that should be addressed in the negotiations. g. Other measures or practices that undermine fair market opportunities for U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, and ranchers that should be addressed in the negotiations. USTR must receive written comments no later than Monday, November 26, 2018. The TPSC will hold a hearing on December 10, 2018, in the Main Hearing Room at the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington DC 20436. If necessary, the hearing will continue on the next business day. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention by November 26, 2018. The intent to testify notification must be made in the `type comment' field under docket number USTR-2018-0034 on the www.regulations.gov website and should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. You should attach a summary of the testimony by using the `upload file' field. The file name also should include who will be presenting the testimony. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the TPSC. 3. Requirements for Submissions In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make online submissions, using the www.regulations.gov website. Persons submitting a notification of intent to testify and/or written comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) the `U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.' To submit comments via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2018-0034 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 This Site' on the left side of the home page. The www.regulations.gov website 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 you provide comments in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type `see attached' in the `type comment' field. USTR prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or 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 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. 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. You must make any alternative arrangements before transmitting a comment and in advance of the applicable deadline with Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475. USTR will place comments in the docket for public inspection, except business confidential information. 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. 2018-23569 Filed 10-25-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290-F9-P
![54164 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2018 / Notices
groundwater; however, Alternative C are included in Appendix I of the Final Certification as determined in
would achieve the purpose and need of EIS. consultation with the U.S. Army Corps
the project and calls for less movement The NOA for the Draft SEIS was of Engineers and Kentucky Division of
of CCR material and less dewatering published in the Federal Register on Water.
than Alternative B resulting in greater May 4, 2018, initiating a 45-day public • Tree removal would occur in winter
stability, less impacts to air and less risk scoping period, which concluded on months (between November 15 and
to worker safety. Consequently, June 18, 2018. In addition to the notice March 31) outside breeding season, and
Alternative C could also be completed in the Federal Register, TVA sent would be tracked, documented, and
sooner and for a lower cost than notification of the availability of the reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Alternative B. Draft SEIS to local and state government Service.
Impacts associated with the entities and federal agencies; published Dated: October 22, 2018.
construction and operation of a lined notices regarding this effort in local
Robert M. Deacy, Sr.,
process water basin to handle plant newspapers; issued a press release to
Senior Vice President, Generation
flows would be the same under media; and posted the NOA on the TVA
Construction, Projects & Services.
Alternatives B and C. website. TVA accepted comments
[FR Doc. 2018–23427 Filed 10–25–18; 8:45 am]
The beneficial impacts to submitted through mail and email. TVA
BILLING CODE 8120–08–P
groundwater, which environmentally received a total of 19 comments from 6
advantage Alternative B over commenters. Summarized comments
Alternative C, are not substantive and TVA’s responses are included in
Appendix E of the Final SEIS. OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
enough to outweigh the benefits TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
associated with air quality, The NOA for the Final SEIS was
constructability, design considerations, published in the Federal Register on [Docket Number USTR–2018–0034]
schedule, and economics. August 31, 2018.
Under Alternative B and C, there Decision Request for Comments on Negotiating
would be minor impacts to land use, Objectives for a U.S.-Japan Trade
TVA has decided to close the SWL Agreement
prime farmlands and soil, surface water, and Ash Impoundment 2 in place with
vegetation, wildlife, threatened and regrading of both facilities and to AGENCY: Office of the United States
endangered species, and wetlands. construct a new PWB (Alternative C). Trade Representative.
Minor impacts to land use include These actions would achieve the ACTION: Request for comments and
conversion of undeveloped land to purpose and need of the project and call notice of public hearing.
industrial use. Borrow material may be for less movement of CCR material and
required for closure activities resulting less dewatering and would result in SUMMARY: On October 16, 2018, the
in minor impacts to soils. Alterations of fewer air quality impacts than United States Trade Representative
the wet-weather conveyance and storm Alternative B, while also potentially notified Congress of the
water flow are minor impacts to surface being completed sooner and for a lower Administration’s intention to enter into
water. Disruption of habitat during cost than Alternative B. negotiations with Japan for a U.S.-Japan
closure and construction activities and Trade Agreement. The Office of the
conversion of undeveloped land to Mitigation Measures United States Trade Representative
industrial result in minor impacts to TVA would use appropriate best (USTR) is seeking public comments on
vegetation, wildlife, and threatened and management practices during all phases a proposed U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
endangered species. Minor impacts are of impoundment closure and including U.S. interests and priorities,
associated with conversion of 0.26 acre construction and operation of a process in order to develop U.S. negotiating
of wetlands. There would be no impacts water basin. Mitigation measures, positions. You can provide comments in
to cultural resources. Impacts under actions taken to reduce adverse impacts writing and orally at a public hearing.
Alternative C would be slightly less associated with the proposed action, Our aim in negotiations with Japan is to
than those described under Alternative include: address both tariff and non-tariff
B. • Final drainage for the temporary barriers and to achieve fairer, more
treatment basin (if utilized) would be balanced trade.
Public Involvement
routed to existing or new discharge DATES:
On November 1, 2016, TVA published outfalls and comply with the Kentucky November 26, 2018: Deadline for the
a Notice of Intent in the Federal Pollutant Discharge Elimination System submission of written comments, and
Register announcing that it planned to permit to ensure that no adverse for written notification of your intent to
prepare an EIS to address the potential impacts to surface waters would occur. testify, as well as a summary of your
environmental effects associated with Mitigation measures would be testimony at the public hearing.
ceasing operations at both the SWL and identified, as needed, to ensure the December 10, 2018: The Trade Policy
Ash Impoundment 2, and constructing, discharges meet permit limits. This may Staff Committee (TPSC) will hold a
operating, and maintaining a new CCR or may not require a permit public hearing beginning at 9:30 a.m., at
Landfill at SHF. TVA hosted an open modification. the main hearing room of the U.S.
house scoping meeting on November 15, • Prior to disturbing wetland and International Trade Commission, 500 E
2016, at the Robert Cherry Civic Center surface water features within the Street SW, Washington DC 20436.
in Paducah, Kentucky. The Draft EIS process water basin project site, TVA ADDRESSES: You should submit
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
was issued on June 8, 2017, and TVA would obtain a Clean Water Act Section notifications of intent to testify and
hosted a public meeting on June 22, 404 permit and a Kentucky Division of written comments through the Federal
2017, at the Robert Cherry Civic Center Water 401 Water Quality Certification. eRulemaking Portal: https://
in Paducah, Kentucky. The Final EIS Where impacts to these features cannot www.regulations.gov. Follow the
was issued on December 8, 2017, and a be avoided, TVA would mitigate instructions for submitting comments in
ROD was signed on January 16, 2018. impacts in accordance with the Section parts 2 and 3 below. For alternatives to
Public comments and TVA’s responses 404 permit and/or Water Quality on-line submissions, please contact
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 208 / Friday, October 26, 2018 / Notices 54165
Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Staff i. Product-specific import or export website by clicking on ‘How to Use This
Committee, at (202) 395–3475. interests or barriers. Site’ on the left side of the home page.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For ii. Experience with particular The www.regulations.gov website
procedural questions concerning written measures that should be addressed in
allows users to provide comments by
comments, please contact Yvonne the negotiations.
iii. Ways to address export priorities filling in a ‘type comment’ field, or by
Jamison at (202) 395–3475. Direct all attaching a document using an ‘upload
other questions to David Boling, Deputy and import sensitivities in the context of
the proposed agreement. file’ field. USTR prefers that you
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for provide comments in an attached
Japan, at (202) 395–5070. e. Customs and trade facilitation
issues that should be addressed in the document. If a document is attached, it
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: is sufficient to type ‘see attached’ in the
negotiations.
1. Background f. Sanitary and phytosanitary ‘type comment’ field. USTR prefers
measures and technical barriers to trade submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or
The decision to launch negotiations
for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement is an that should be addressed in the Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission
important step toward achieving fairer, negotiations. is in an application other than those
more balanced trade with Japan and was g. Other measures or practices that two, please indicate the name of the
preceded by bilateral consultations on undermine fair market opportunities for application in the ‘type comment’ field.
trade under the U.S.-Japan Economic U.S. businesses, workers, farmers, and For any comments submitted
Dialogue. In April 2018, new bilateral ranchers that should be addressed in the electronically containing business
trade and investment consultations were negotiations. confidential information, the file name
announced, led by U.S. Trade USTR must receive written comments
of the business confidential version
Representative Robert Lighthizer for the no later than Monday, November 26,
should begin with the characters ‘BC.’
United States, in order to intensify 2018. The TPSC will hold a hearing on
Any page containing business
engagement on bilateral trade. These December 10, 2018, in the Main Hearing
Room at the U.S. International Trade confidential information must be clearly
consultations culminated in the marked BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL on
announcement in September 2018 that Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington DC 20436. If necessary, the the top of that page. Filers of
the United States and Japan plan to submissions containing business
enter into negotiations for a U.S.-Japan hearing will continue on the next
business day. Persons wishing to testify confidential information also must
Trade Agreement. See https:// submit a public version of their
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings- at the hearing must provide written
notification of their intention by comments. The file name of the public
statements/joint-statement-united- version should begin with the character
states-japan/. November 26, 2018. The intent to testify
notification must be made in the ‘type ‘P.’ The ‘BC’ and ‘P’ should be followed
On October 16, 2018, following by the name of the person or entity
consultations with relevant comment’ field under docket number
USTR–2018–0034 on the submitting the comments or reply
Congressional committees, the United comments. Filers submitting comments
States Trade Representative informed www.regulations.gov website and
should include the name, address, and containing no business confidential
Congress that the President intends to information should name their file using
commence negotiations with Japan for a telephone number of the person
presenting the testimony. You should the name of the person or entity
U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.
attach a summary of the testimony by submitting the comments.
2. Public Comment and Hearing using the ‘upload file’ field. The file Please do not attach separate cover
The TPSC invites interested parties to name also should include who will be letters to electronic submissions; rather,
submit comments and/or oral testimony presenting the testimony. Remarks at include any information that might
to assist USTR as it develops its the hearing should be limited to no appear in a cover letter in the comments
negotiating objectives and positions for more than five minutes to allow for themselves. Similarly, to the extent
the agreement, including with regard to possible questions from the TPSC. possible, please include any exhibits,
objectives identified in section 102 of 3. Requirements for Submissions annexes, or other attachments in the
the Bipartisan Congressional Trade same file as the submission itself, not as
Priorities and Accountability Act of In order to ensure the timely receipt separate files.
2015 (19 U.S.C. 4201). In particular, the and consideration of comments, USTR
strongly encourages commenters to As noted, USTR strongly urges
TPSC invites interested parties to submitters to file comments through
comment on issues including, but not make online submissions, using the
www.regulations.gov website. Persons www.regulations.gov. You must make
limited to, the following: any alternative arrangements before
a. General and product-specific submitting a notification of intent to
testify and/or written comments must transmitting a comment and in advance
negotiating objectives for the proposed
do so in English and must identify (on of the applicable deadline with Yvonne
agreement.
b. Relevant barriers to trade in goods the first page of the submission) the Jamison at (202) 395–3475.
and services between the United States ‘U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.’ USTR will place comments in the
and Japan that should be addressed in To submit comments via docket for public inspection, except
the negotiations. www.regulations.gov, enter docket business confidential information.
c. Economic costs and benefits to U.S. number USTR–2018–0034 on the home General information concerning USTR
page and click ‘search.’ The site will
khammond on DSK30JT082PROD with NOTICES
producers and consumers of removal or is available at www.ustr.gov.
reduction of tariffs and removal or provide a search-results page listing all
reduction of non-tariff barriers on documents associated with this docket. Edward Gresser,
articles traded with Japan. Find a reference to this notice and click Chair of the Trade Policy Staff Committee,
d. Treatment of specific goods on the link entitled ‘comment now!’ For Office of the United States Trade
(described by HTSUS numbers) under further information on using the Representative.
the proposed agreement, including www.regulations.gov website, please [FR Doc. 2018–23569 Filed 10–25–18; 8:45 am]
comments on: consult the resources provided on the BILLING CODE 3290–F9–P
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Document Created: 2018-10-26 02:28:24
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 02:28:24
| 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 | Request for comments and notice of public hearing. | |
| Dates | November 26, 2018: Deadline for the submission of written comments, and for written notification of your intent to testify, as well as a summary of your testimony at the public hearing. | |
| Contact | For procedural questions concerning written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison at (202) 395-3475. Direct all other questions to David Boling, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, at (202) 395-5070. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 54164 |
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