ITC LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION ON POSSIBLE
MODIFICATIONS TO THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE
AGREEMENT RULES OF ORIGIN
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking input on a newly initiated investigation concerning proposed modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin.
The investigation, Probable Effect of Certain Modifications to the NAFTA Rules of Origin (Inv. No. NAFTA-103-14), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
As requested, the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the probable effect of the proposed NAFTA rules of origin modifications on U.S. trade and on domestic producers of the affected articles.
The investigation covers a wide variety of articles, including fish and crustaceans; herbs and spices; fish oils; food preparations; oil and petroleum products; leather; aluminum; diesel engines; turbines; valves; electric motors, transformers and generators; batteries; apparatus for radio telephony; turntables and cassette players; alarms; rail locomotives and parts; medical appliances and parts; lighters; instruments to control or measure; as well as others. Details can be obtained from the attachment to the request letter, which can be found on the Commission's electronic document information system (EDIS) on the ITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov).
The ITC expects to submit its advice to the USTR by August 14, 2006.
The ITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the articles for which the ITC is requested to provide advice. The ITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation; however, the ITC welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436 and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 2, 2006.
Further information on the scope of the investigation, the proposed rules of origin modifications, and the procedures for written submissions is available in the ITC's notice of investigation, dated March 27, 2006, which can be downloaded from the ITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Secretary at the above address.