[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 115 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-14701] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: June 16, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [332-355] North American Free-Trade Agreement: Probable Economic Effect on U.S. Industries and Consumers of Accelerated Elimination of U.S. Tariffs on Certain Articles From Mexico and Canada AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Following receipt on May 26, 1994, of a request from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-355 under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to advise the President, with respect to each dutiable article listed in Annex I of the USTR's notice published in the Federal Register of May 23, 1994 (59 FR 26686), as further identified in the supplemental document prepared by USTR, of its judgment as to the probable economic effect of the immediate elimination of the U.S. tariff, under the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA), on domestic industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on consumers. USTR asked that the Commission provide its advice not later than 90 days after the Commission received the request, or in this case by August 24, 1994. USTR has indicated that it may classify all or part of the Commission's report. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 10, 1994. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The project leader, Mr. Carl Seastrum (202-205-3493), Minerals, Metals, and Miscellaneous Manufactures Division, Office of Industries, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. For information on legal aspects of the investigation contact Mr. William Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. Peg O'Laughlin, Director of Public Affairs (202-205- 1819). For information on a product basis, contact the appropriate member of the Commission's Office of Industries, as follows: (1) Agricultural and forest products, Mr. Rick Rhodes (202-205-3322) (2) Chemical, energy-related, textile, apparel, and footwear products, Mr. Lee Cook (202-205-3471) (3) Machinery and transportation, Ms. Kathy Lahey (202-205-3409) (4) Minerals, metals, and miscellaneous manufactures, Ms. Gail Burns (202-205-2501) (5) Electronic products, Mr. Andrew Malison (202-205-3391) Hearing-impaired persons can obtain information on this study by contacting our TDD terminal on (202-205-1810). Background: The USTR stated in his letter that the Governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada have agreed to enter into consultations to consider acceleration of the elimination of the import duty on certain articles. The USTR further stated that the President is authorized by section 201(b) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act of 1993, subject to the consultation and lay-over requirements of section 103 of the Act, to proclaim any accelerated schedule for duty elimination that may be agreed to by the United States, Mexico, and Canada under Article 302(3) of the NAFTA. One of the requirements set out in section 103 is that the President obtain advice regarding the proposed action from the United States International Trade Commission. Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held in the Commission Hearing Room, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 27, 1994, and continuing, as required, on July 28. All persons will have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public hearing should file requests to appear not later than July 15, 1994. Prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should also be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436, not later than 5 p.m., July 18, 1994. Any post- hearing briefs must be filed by August 2, 1994. Written Submissions: Interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close of business on August 2, 1994. Commercial or financial information which 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 for inspection by interested persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the Commission's office in Washington, DC. Issued: June 13, 1994. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 94-14701 Filed 6-15-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P