The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated an investigation of the economic impact on the United States of five trade agreements enacted over the last 25 years.

The investigation, The Impact of Trade Agreements: Effect of the Tokyo Round, U.S.-Israel FTA, U.S.-Canada FTA, NAFTA, and the Uruguay Round on the U.S. Economy, is required by section 2111 of the Trade Act of 2002.

As required by the statute, the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will submit its report to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means by August 6, 2003.

The ITC seeks input for this report from all interested parties. The ITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on January 14, 2003. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later that 5:15 p.m. on December 27, 2002, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-1816.

The ITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions (one original and 14 copies) should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 14, 2003. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, and all written submissions except for confidential business information will be available for public inspection. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.

Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the ITC's notice of investigation, dated September 13, 2002, which can be downloaded from the ITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-1816.