Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 217 (Tuesday, November 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63074-63075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30079]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-398]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: On October 30, 1998, the Commission received a request from 
the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for an investigation 
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 for the purpose of 
providing advice concerning possible modifications to the Generalized 
System of Preferences (GSP). Following receipt of the request and in 
accordance therewith, the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-
398 in order to provide as follows--
    (1) With respect to the article listed in Part A of the attached 
Annex, advice as to the probable economic effect on U.S. industries 
producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the 
removal of such article from eligibility for duty-free treatment under 
the GSP for imports from beneficiary developing countries other than 
those countries designated as least-developed beneficiary countries; 
and
    (2) In accordance with section 503(d)(1)(A) of the 1974 Act, advice 
on whether any industry in the United States is likely to be adversely 
affected by a waiver of the competitive need limits specified in 
section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for the country specified with 
respect to the articles in Part B of the attached Annex.
    With respect to the competitive need limit in section 
503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as requested, will 
use the dollar value limit of $85,000,000.
    As requested by USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than February 1, 1999.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

(1) Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-3348)
(2) Agricultural and forest products, William Hoffmeier (202-205-3321)
(3) Energy, chemicals, and textiles, Christopher Robinson (202-205-
2334)
(4) Minerals, metals, machinery, and miscellaneous manufactures, David 
Lundy (202-205-3439)
(5) Electronics and transportation, James M. Brandon (202-205-3433)

All of the above are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For 
information on legal aspects of the investigation contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091.

Background

    The USTR letter noted that the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC)

[[Page 63075]]

announced in the October 26, 1998 Federal Register the acceptance of 
product petitions for modification of the GSP received as part of the 
1998 annual review. The letter stated that modifications to the GSP 
which may result from this review will be announced in May 1999 and 
become effective on or about July 1, 1999.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with this investigation is scheduled 
to begin at 9:30 a.m. on December 1, 1998, at the U.S. International 
Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, D.C. All 
persons have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present 
information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public 
hearing should file a letter asking to testify with the Secretary, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20436, not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) 
on November 18, 1998. In addition, persons testifying should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on November 20, 1998. Posthearing briefs should be 
filed with the Secretary by close of business on December 15, 1998. In 
the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the 
close of business on November 18, 1998, the hearing will be canceled. 
Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-
participant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1816) 
after November 18, 1998 to determine whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the public hearing, 
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close 
of business on December 15, 1998. Commercial or financial information 
which a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must 
be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked 
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions 
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of 
section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 
CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the 
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. The Commission's rules do not 
authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or 
electronic means.
    Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: November 4, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.

Annex I (HTS Subheadings)1
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    \1\ See USTR Federal Register notice of October 26, 1998 (63 
F.R. 57150) for article description.
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    A. Petition to remove duty-free status from beneficiary 
developing countries, other than those designated as least-developed 
beneficiary developing countries, for a product on the list of 
eligible articles for the GSP.

2934.20.05

    B. Petitions for waiver of competitive need limit for a product 
on the list of eligible products for the specified country.

2841.70.10 (Chile)
2916.31.15 (Estonia)
4412.13.50 (Indonesia)
4412.22.30 (Indonesia)
7113.11.50 (Thailand)
7113.19.29 (India)
7403.13.00 (Chile)
7403.19.00 (Chile)
7418.19.20 (India)
8483.10.30 (Brazil)
8527.39.00 (Indonesia)
8528.12.16 (Thailand)
8531.20.00 (Philippines)
8708.39.50 (Brazil)
9001.30.00 (Indonesia)

[FR Doc. 98-30079 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P