[Federal Register: December 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 250)] [Notices] [Page 73582-73583] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30de99-136] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation 332-409] The Impact on the U.S. Economy of Including the United Kingdom in a Free Trade Arrangement with The United States, Canada, and Mexico AGENCY: International Trade Commission. ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EFFECTIVE DATE: December 21, 1999. SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on November 18, 1999, from the Senate Committee on Finance (Committee), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-409, The Impact on the U.S. Economy of Including the United Kingdom in a Free Trade Arrangement [[Page 73583]] with the United States, Canada, and Mexico, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)). The Commission plans to submit its report by August 18, 2000. As requested by the Committee, the Commission will provide to the extent possible: An overview of the current economic relationship among the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom in terms of trade and investment flows, including a discussion of the key industries and comparative advantages of each country. Identification of all existing barriers (tariff and non- tariff) to trade and investment among the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. For the United States and the United Kingdom, the estimated effect of eliminating these barriers on: The volume of trade in goods and services between the two countries; Gross Domestic Product for each country resulting from increased trade and investment Employment across industry sectors, with special attention to changes in the competitive position of industries, job creation and loss, productivity, and wages; Balance of payments for each country as a result of new trade patterns; Amount of foreign direct investment between the two countries,; Final prices paid by consumers in each country. A discussion on any increase in quality or selection of goods, or other consumer benefits. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from Kyle Johnson, Project Leader (202-205-3229) or Soamiely Andriamananjara, Deputy Project Leader (202-205-3252), Office of Economics, 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). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810. Background In its letter to the Commission, the Committee stated that the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have significantly helped to expand the volume of trade between the United States and its North American trading partners, and that the Committee seeks an analysis in order to determine whether the success of the CFTA and NAFTA can be replicated with other trading partners. In estimating the effect of the elimination of barriers to trade and investment on the economies of the United States and the United Kingdom, the Commission will conduct a comparative statics analysis based on the most current data available on trade, investment, the barriers to these flows, and the trade and investment relationships between these countries and their other significant trading partners. 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 April 11, 2000. All persons shall 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, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., March 28, 2000. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., April 4, 2000; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 5, 2000. In the event that, as of the close of business on April 7, 2000, 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 of the Commission (202-205- 1806) after April 7, 2000, 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 (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 C.F.R. 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available in the Office of the Secretary of 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 the close of business on May 4, 2000. 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 the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). List of Subjects NAFTA, United Kingdom, tariffs, investment, and imports. Issued: December 22, 1999. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 99-33905 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P