[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 60100-60101] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-29378] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation 332-387] 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, Round Two AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EFFECTIVE DATE: October 30, 1997. SUMMARY: Following receipt on October 20, 1997, of a request from the Office of the United States Trade Representative [[Page 60101]] (USTR), the Commission instituted investigation No. 332-387, 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 October 21, 1997 (62 FR 54671), 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. Annex I is available from the USTR Internet home page at http://www.ustr.gov and from the Commission Internet home page at http://www.usitc.gov. The USTR asked that the Commission provide its advice not later than 120 days following the Commission's receipt of the request, or by February 17, 1998, and has indicated that it may classify all or part of the Commission's report as Confidential. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information may be obtained from the project leader, Carl Seastrum (202-205-3493), Minerals, Metals, Machinery, and Miscellaneous Manufactures Division, 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 Margaret O'Laughlin, 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. For information on a product basis, contact the appropriate member of the Commission's Office of Industries as follows:Agriculture and Forest Products Division, Stacey Linn (202-205-3317). Energy, Chemicals, and Textiles Division, Elizabeth Howlett (202-205-3365). Minerals, Metals, Machinery, and Miscellaneous Manufactures Division, Josephine Spalding (202-205-3498). Services, Electronics, and Transportation Division, Heidi Colby (202-205-3391). Background: As stated by the USTR in a letter dated October 20, 1997, the Governments of the United States, Mexico, and Canada have agreed to enter into consultations to consider the 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, subject to the consultation and lay-over requirements of section 103(a) 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. Section 103(a) requires that the President obtain advice regarding the proposed action from the United States International Trade Commission. The accelerated elimination of tariffs in this second round of negotiations between the United States and Mexico will be pursued on a reciprocal basis in response to petitions submitted to the Governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The USTR included with its request a list of products to be considered for immediate reciprocal elimination of tariffs. 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 January 7, 1998, and continuing on January 8 if an additional day is needed. All persons will 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, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, not later than 5:15 p.m., December 11, 1997. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., December 12, 1997; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., January 14, 1998. In the event that, as of the close of business on December 16, 1997, 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 to the Commission (202-205-1816) after December 16, 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 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 to the Commission for inspection by the public. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close of business on January 14, 1998. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. 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). Issued: October 31, 1997. By order of the Commission. Donna R. Koehnke, Secretary. [FR Doc. 97-29378 Filed 11-5-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020-02-P