Dyeing and finishing operations in the U.S. textile industry, upcoming WTO agricultural trade negotiations, and further commercialization of metal matrix composites 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 (March 2002) includes the following articles:

• Dyeing and Finishing of Apparel Fabrics -- In connection with legislation affecting the dyeing and finishing of apparel fabrics in the Caribbean Basin, this article provides an overview of dyeing and finishing as these processes relate to apparel fabrics. It highlights the major dyeing and finishing processes, recent developments in the dyeing and finishing segment of the U.S. textile industry, the relative importance of dyeing and finishing costs in fabric and apparel production, and dyeing and finishing capabilities in Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act countries.

• WTO Agricultural Trade Negotiations: A Second Update -- Two previous ITTR articles about multilateral trade negotiations for agriculture discussed major policy differences among World Trade Organization (WTO) members, issues associated with the December 1999 Seattle Ministerial, and the status of negotiations during the first nine months of the new Round. Although the Seattle Ministerial was unsuccessful at launching a new comprehensive round of trade negotiations, WTO agricultural negotiations began in January 2000 as mandated by Article 20 of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture. This article reviews the current status of these agricultural negotiations, the outcome of the Fourth Ministerial in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001, and the prospects for agriculture negotiations in the coming year.

• Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Gaining Greater Market Acceptance -- Despite extensive research, product development, and rapid consumption growth during the past 10 years, the volume of metal matrix composites (MMCs) in commercial applications remains modest. The automotive and aerospace industries have long been interested in MMCs because they combine desirable physical properties of both metals and ceramics, but the relatively high cost of MMC parts has impeded widespread application. This article examines efforts to improve the prospects for commercialization of these materials, current aluminum MMC markets, barriers to further commercialization, private and public initiatives to reduce barriers, and likely future uses.

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 3501, March 2002) will be posted on the ITC's Internet site at 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.