August 17, 2009
News Release 09-062
Inv. Nos. NAFTA-103-023 and NAFTA-103-024
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for two newly initiated investigations concerning proposed modifications of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin.

The investigations, Certain Textile Articles Containing Rayon and Other Manmade Fibers: Effect of Modifications of NAFTA Rules of Origin for Goods of Canada and Mexico, and Certain Textile Articles Containing Acrylic and Modacrylic Fibers: Effect of Modifications of NAFTA Rules of Origin for Goods of Canada, result from a request by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on July 30, 2009.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the probable effect of proposed NAFTA rules of origin modifications on U.S. trade and on domestic producers of the affected yarns and fabrics. Details on the products covered by the investigation can be obtained from the attachment to the request letter, which can be found on the USITC Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/ongoing/certain_textile_nafta_roo.pdf.

The USITC expects to submit its advice to the USTR by November 30, 2009.

The USITC is seeking input for its new investigations from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the articles for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with the investigations; however, the USITC welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 2, 2009.

Further information on the scope of these investigations, the proposed rules of origin modifications, and the procedures for written submissions is available in the USITC's notices of investigation, dated August 17, 2009, which can be downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Secretary at the above address.