China's steel consumption and U.S. manufacturing integration are among the topics examined in the current issue of Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR), a quarterly publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's Office of Industries.

Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR) contains articles originating from research and analysis conducted by International Trade Commission (ITC) staff as part of its responsibilities to provide advice and technical information on industry and trade issues. The ITTR provides analysis of important issues and insights into the global position of U.S. industries, the technological competitiveness of the United States, and implications of trade and policy developments.

The ITTR is a publication of the Office of Industries. The opinions and conclusions it contains are those of the authors and are not the views of the Commission or of any individual Commissioner.

The current issue (July 2001) includes the following articles:

• Trends in China's Steel Consumption --- Numerous articles have examined the expansion of the productive capacity of the Chinese steel industry and efforts of the central government to replace small, inefficient mills with more competitive facilities. These industry changes have caused much concern in more established steel industries around the globe inasmuch as some major Chinese steel companies have made known their desire to compete worldwide. However, according to papers presented at a recent international steel conference in Guangzhou, the impact of growth by the Chinese steel industry on global markets will likely depend largely on the continued growth of steel consumption in domestic Chinese markets. This article summarizes conference presentations by representatives of China's major steel-consuming industries to provide a better understanding of the development and anticipated growth of these industries, as well as emerging trends in Chinese steel consumption.

• Production Sharing Update: Developments in 2000 --- Investment in production sharing operations (which use U.S.-made components in foreign assembly plants) has become an integral part of global efforts to reduce manufacturing costs and has contributed to the accelerated pace of cross-border integration of manufacturing in North America and the Caribbean Basin. Imports that incorporate U.S. content can enter the United States free of duty or at reduced duties under the production sharing provisions (9802.00.60-9802.00.90) of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), which provide the only official U.S. source of data documenting the use of U.S. components in foreign assembly. This article highlights developments in 2000 regarding imports under the production sharing provisions, cross-border integration of manufacturing in North America and the Caribbean Basin, and the use of U.S.-made components in imports from Asia and Europe.

In addition, the publication includes an appendix charting key performance indicators for the steel, automobile, aluminum, flat glass, and services industries, as well as for North American trade.

Industry Trade and Technology Review (USITC Publication 3443, July 2001) will be posted on the ITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov. A cumulative list of articles published in the report series is also posted. The ITTR will also be available at regional federal depository libraries in the United States. To request a printed copy of the ITTR or to be added to the mailing list, contact the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.