[Federal Register: September 6, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 173)]
[Notices]               
[Page 57030-57031]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se02-82]                         

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-446]

 
Agriculture: Probable Economic Effects on the U.S. Economy of 
Eliminating or Reducing U.S. Tariffs on Certain Products From FTAA 
Countries and WTO Members

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and invitation for written 
submissions.

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[[Page 57031]]


EFFECTIVE DATE: August 30, 2002.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on August 16, 2002, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-446, Agriculture: Probable Economic Effects on 
the U.S. Economy of Eliminating or Reducing U.S. Tariffs on Certain 
Products from FTAA Countries and WTO Members, under section 332(g) of 
the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

Background

    As requested by USTR, the Commission will prepare assessments of 
the probable economic effects on the economy as a whole of (1) 
eliminating U.S. tariffs on certain agricultural products from 33 
countries within the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and (2) 
eliminating and reducing by 50 percent U.S. tariffs on certain 
agricultural products from World Trade Organization (WTO) member.\1\ 
The list of the products attached to the USTR's letter and covered in 
this investigation is available electronically from EDIS-ON-LINE, or 
from the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. The Commission plans 
to submit its report by November 15, 2002. USTR indicated that portions 
of the report will be classified as ``Confidential.''
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    \1\ For the purposes of this study, the 33 FTAA countries 
include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, 
Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, 
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, 
Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, 
Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the 
Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela. 
The 143 WTO members countries (excluding the United States) will be 
aggregated into a single area. Although the Bahamas, China, and 
Taiwan were not WTO members during this study's 1997-2001 analysis 
period, they are included in the analysis of the WTO member 
countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from Ronald Babula, Project Leader (202-205-3331 or 
babula@usitc.gov) or Stephen Burket, Chief, Agricultural Crops and 
Specialty Products Branch (202-205-3318 or burket@usitc.gov), 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 or 
wgearhart@usitc.gov). Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be 
viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://
dockets.usitc.gov/eol/public/.

Written Submissions

    The Commission does not plan to hold a public hearing in connection 
with this investigation. However, interested parties are invited to 
submit written statements (original and 14 copies) 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 CFR 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. The Commission may include such 
confidential business information in the report it sends to USTR. 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 the close 
of business on September 19, 2002. All submissions should be addressed 
to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not 
authorize filing 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 of the Office of the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000.

List of Subjects

    FTAA, WTO, tariffs, and trade.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: August 30, 2002.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 02-22704 Filed 9-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P