[Federal Register: February 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 38)]
[Notices]
[Page 8821-8822]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26fe02-69]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-439]
U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the
Probable Economic Effect
AGENCY: International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 19, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on February 11, 2002, from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-439, U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Advice
Concerning the Probable Economic Effect, under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be
obtained from John Davitt, Project Leader (202-205-3407 or
jdavitt@usitc.gov) or Chris Johnson, Deputy Project Leader (202-205-
3488 or cjohnson@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). The media should contact Peg
O'Laughlin of the 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
As requested by USTR, the Commission will provide advice as to the
probable economic effects of providing duty-free treatment for imports
of products of Singapore on industries in the United States producing
like or directly competitive articles, and on consumers. The analysis
will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States for which U.S. tariffs will remain
after the United States fully implements its Uruguay Round tariff
commitments. The advice will be based on the 2002 Harmonized Tariff
System nomenclature and trade data for the year 2000. The USTR
requested the Commission to provide the advice in a confidential
report, by June 11, 2002, if possible. In his letter to the Commission,
the USTR stated that ``* * *, the United States and the Republic of
Singapore are engaged in negotiations to reach a comprehensive
bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Among other things, the agreement
will eliminate tariffs on substantially all trade in goods between the
United States and Singapore.'' He noted that a previous U.S.
International Trade Commission report, U.S.-Singapore Free Trade
Agreement: Potential Trade and Economic Effects, Inv. No. 332-422
(January 2001) had served as a useful tool in helping formulate U.S.
negotiating positions and in conducting an environmental review of the
proposed agreement and that the additional advice he is now requesting
will assist them in carrying out tariff negotiations with Singapore.
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 25, 2002. 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,
[[Page 8822]]
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., April 16, 2002. Any
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later
than 5:15 p.m., April 18, 2002; the deadline for filing post-hearing
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 9, 2002. In the event that, as
of the close of business on April 16, 2002, 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 16,
2002, 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 CFR 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. The Commission may include some or all of the confidential
business information submitted by interested parties in its report to
the 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 May 9, 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 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). 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.
List of Subjects
Singapore, tariffs, and imports.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: February 20, 2002.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-4497 Filed 2-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P