[Federal Register: October 7, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 194)] [Notices] [Page 53971-53972] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07oc98-108] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 1998-99 Allocation of the Tariff-Rate Quota for Raw Cane Sugar, Allocation of 27,954 Metric Tons of Refined Sugar to Mexico, Allocation of 10,330 Metric Tons of Refined Sugar and 59,250 Metric Tons of Sugar Containing Products to Canada and Globalization of the Remaining Refined Sugar TRQ AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of the country-by-country allocation of the in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for imported raw cane sugar, and allocation of 27,954 metric tons refined sugar to Mexico, of which 25,000 may be raw or refined sugar, and allocation of 10,300 metric tons refined sugar and 59,250 metric tons of sugar containing products to Canada and globalization of the remaining refined sugar tariff-rate quota (which includes specialty sugars) for the period that begins October 1, 1998 and ends September 30, 1999. EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1998. ADDRESSES: Inquiries may be mailed or delivered to Elizabeth Jones, Agricultural Economist, Office of Agricultural Affairs (Room 421), Office [[Page 53972]] of the Untied States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Jones, Office of Agricultural Affairs, 202-395-6127. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the United States maintains tariff-rate quotas for imports of raw cane and refined sugar. The in-quota quantity of the raw cane tariff-rate quota for the period October 1, 1998-September 30, 1999, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 1,164,937 metric tons, raw value (1,284,123 short tons). Section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(3)) authorizes the President to allocate the in-quota quantity of a tariff-rate quota for any agricultural product among supplying countries or customs areas. The President delegated this authority to the United States Trade representative under paragraph (3)) of Presidential Proclamation No. 6763 (60 FR 1007). Accordingly, the 1,164,937 metric tons for a raw cane sugar are being allocated to the following countries in metric tons, raw value: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FY1999 Country allocation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Argentina.................................................. 46,581 Australia.................................................. 89,912 Barbados................................................... 7,583 Belize..................................................... 11,916 Bolivia.................................................... 8,666 Brazil..................................................... 157,076 Colombia................................................... 25,999 Congo...................................................... 7,258 Cote d'Ivoire.............................................. 7,258 Costa Rica................................................. 16,249 Dominican Republic......................................... 190,657 Ecuador.................................................... 11,916 El Salvador................................................ 28,165 Fiji....................................................... 9,750 Gabon...................................................... 7,258 Guatemala.................................................. 51,997 Guyana..................................................... 12,999 Haiti...................................................... 7,258 Honduras................................................... 10,833 India...................................................... 8,666 Jamaica.................................................... 11,916 Madagascar................................................. 7,258 Malawi..................................................... 10,833 Mauritius.................................................. 12,999 Mexico..................................................... 25,000 Mozambique................................................. 14,083 Nicaragua.................................................. 22,749 Panama..................................................... 31,415 Papua New Guinea........................................... 7,258 Paraguay................................................... 7,258 Peru....................................................... 44,415 Philippines................................................ 146,243 South Africa............................................... 24,915 St. Kitts & Nevis.......................................... 7,258 Swaziland.................................................. 17,332 Taiwan..................................................... 12,999 Thailand................................................... 15,166 Trinidad-Tobago............................................ 7,583 Uruguay.................................................... 7,258 Zimbabwe................................................... 12,999 ------------ Total................................................ 1,164,937 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This allocation includes the following minimum quota-holding countries: Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Haiti, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Uruguay. The in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for refined sugar for the period October 1, 1998-September 30, 1999, has been established by the Secretary of Agriculture at 50,000 metric tons, raw value (55, 116 short tons). A total of 7,090 metric tons (7,815 short tons) of this tariff-rate quota will be available for refined sugar and 4,656 metric tons (5,132 short tons) will be available for specialty sugars on a globalized basis, that is, these amounts will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A total of 10,300 metric tons (11,354 short tons) to refined sugar and 59,250 metric tons (65,312 short tons) of sugar containing products (of the tariff-rate quota maintained under additional U.S. Note 8 to chapter 17 of the Harmonized tariff Schedule) will be allocated to Canada. Separately, an additional 2,954 metric tons (3,256 short tons) of refined sugar will be allocated to Mexico. The remaining 25,000 metric tons (27,558 short tons) of the refined sugar tariff-rate quota is being allocated to Mexico to fulfill obligations pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Under the NAFTA, the United States is to provide total access for raw and refined sugar from Mexico of 25,000 metric tons, raw value, for this quota period in conjunction with Mexico's net surplus producer status. This allocation is subject to the condition that the total imports of raw and refined sugar from Mexico, combined, is not to exceed 25,000 metric tons raw value. Richard W. Fisher, Acting United States Trade Representative. [FR Doc. 98-26889 Filed 10-6-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190-01-M