November 5, 2012
News Release 12-112
Inv. No. 332-532
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released its first report on the proposed expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

The investigation, The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part I (Inv. No. 332-532), was requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). It is the first of two reports delivering advice and information on the expansion of the ITA.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, delivered the report to the USTR on October 24, 2012.

The report covers a draft list of information and communications technology (ICT) products, compiled by the USTR and included with his request letter, that could be considered for duty free treatment under the ITA. The report provides information concerning both the ICT and non-ICT purposes for which each of the products is used. It also identifies products that U.S. industry and other interested parties view to be import sensitive.

The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part I (Inv. No. 332-532, USITC publication 4355, October 2012) is available on the USITC's Internet site at www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4355.pdf.

The report may be requested by emailing pubrequest@usitc.gov, by calling 202-205-2000, or by writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the USITC's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The USITC makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.