Conditions of Competition in U.S. Forest Products Trade

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64101-64102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30850]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-400]


Conditions of Competition in U.S. Forest Products Trade

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 9, 1998.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on October 19, 1998, from the 
Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-400, Conditions of Competition in U.S. Forest 
Products Trade, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 
U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Industry-specific information may be obtained 
from William Hoffmeier (202-205-3321), Vincent Honnold (202-205-3314), 
or William Lipovsky (202-205-3330), Office of Industries, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information 
on the legal aspects of this investigation contact William Gearhart of 
the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). News media should 
contact Peg O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.

Background

    The Committee on Finance has requested that the Commission 
investigate the conditions of competition in forest products trade, 
with special emphasis on trade barriers and forest practices that may 
distort domestic and international markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin 
America, and provide a report setting forth the results of that 
investigation. As requested by the Committee, the Commission will 
provide in its report, to the extent possible, the following:
    •  An overview of the global market for forest products, 
including consumption, production, capacity, and trade trends during 
1994-98;
    •  A description of the U.S. forest products industry and the 
major foreign forest products industries in Asia, Europe, and Latin 
America, including recent changes in production, capacity, marketing 
practices and market shares;
    •  A description of trade patterns (both imports and exports) 
and conditions affecting U.S. forest products trade, including tariff 
and non-tariff barriers (especially in Asia, Europe, and Latin 
America), fluctuations in exchange rates, and competition from 
exporting countries;
    •  A description of Asian, European, and Latin American 
government policies affecting U.S. forest products trade, including 
factors such as financial and other domestic support programs, access 
to raw materials, regulatory enforcement, forestry practices that may 
distort domestic and/or international markets for forest products, as 
well as support from entities such as international financial 
institutions; and
    •  A comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of major 
U.S., Asian, European, and Latin American producers in such areas as 
raw materials, capital availability, technological capabilities, extent 
of plant and equipment modernization, present capacity and future 
planned capacity expansion, and government support.
    The investigation will be limited to forest products covered in 
chapters 44, 47, and 48 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the 
United States. The report will include information on future forest 
products supply and demand trends. As requested, the Commission will 
provide its completed report to the Committee by October 19, 1999.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on May 26, 1999. All persons 
will 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, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., May 12, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 14, 1999; the deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 9, 
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on May 12, 1999, 
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 non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-1816) after May 12, 1999, to determine 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. Commercial or financial information that 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 C.F.R. 201.6). 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. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating 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. on June 9, 1999. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The 
Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions with the 
Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the

[[Page 64102]]

Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(www.usitc.gov).

List of Subjects

    Forest products, exports, imports, markets, trade, production, 
consumption, capacity, barriers, distortions, financial and government 
support, exchange rates, United States, Asia, Europe, Latin America, 
and future trends.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: November 12, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-30850 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P