The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on April 26, 2016. The USTR requested that the USITC issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information deleted.

As requested, the USITC provided advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the addition of the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings:

For all GSP-eligible countries:

• 2204.21.20 (effervescent wine),
• 3301.13.00 (essential oil of lemon), and
• 7202.11.50 (ferromanganese containing by weight more than 4 percent of carbon).

For least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDC), African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary developing countries, and both these country groupings combined:

• 29 HTS subheadings for certain handbags and travel goods products (4202.11.00, 4202.11.00.30, 4202.11.0090, 4202.12.2020, 4202.12.2050, 4202.12.40, 4202.12.8030, 4202.12.8070, 4202.21.60, 4202.21.90, 4202.22.15, 4202.22.45, 4202.22.8050, 4202.31.60, 4202.32.40, 4202.32.80, 4202.32.9550, 4202.32.9560,  4202.91.0030, 4202.91.0090, 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20, 4202.92.3020, 4202.92.3031, 4202.92.3091, 4202.92.45, 4202.92.9026, 4202.92.9060, and 4202.99.90).

The USITC also provided advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the removal of 5 HTS subheadings for specified countries:

• 3204.20.10 (fluorescent brightening agent 32) from India and Indonesia,
• 3204.20.80 (other fluorescent brightening agents) from India and Indonesia,
• 3907.60.00 (PET resin also known as polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms) from India,
• 3920.62.00 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, noncellular, of polyethylene terephthalate) from Brazil, and
• 3921.90.40 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, flexible, nesoi*, of noncellular plastics) from Brazil.

The USITC also provided advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 for 4 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings. "Competitive need limits" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. The USITC was requested to use the dollar figure of $170 million for the competitive need limitation. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted. The four HTS subheadings and specified countries that the USITC provided advice are:

• 0804.10.60 (dates, fresh or dried, whole, without pits, packed in units weighing over 4.6 kg) from Tunisia,
• 2102.20.60 (single-cell micro-organisms, dead, excluding yeasts, but not including vaccines of heading 3002) from Brazil,
• 2202.90.90 (nonalcoholic beverages, nesi*, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading 2009) from Thailand, and
• 8708.50.95 (parts and accessories of motor vehicle of 8701, nesoi, 8702 and 8704-8705, half-shafts) from India.

* nesoi and nesi – not elsewhere specified or indicated

The Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556, USITC publication 4609, May 2016) is available on the USITC's Internet site at https://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4609.pdf.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated.  The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has revised the scope for a recently initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556), was initiated on January 11, 2016, on the basis of a request by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The revision was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative in a letter received on January 12, 2016.  The letter asked the USITC to add to the investigation five additional statistical reporting numbers related to certain handbags and travel goods products that are being considered for addition to the list of GSP-eligible products.

The five HTS additional statistical reporting numbers are:

• 4202.92.30.20;
• 4202.92.30.31;
• 4202.92.30.91;
• 4202.92.90.26 and;
• 4202.92.90.60.

As requested, the USITC will provide its advice as to the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on U.S. consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties on the five articles for all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP program, least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs), beneficiary developing countries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and both LDBDCs and AGOA beneficiary developing countries combined under the GSP program.

In addition, the USTR also requested that the USITC provide advice with respect to whether like or directly competitive products were being produced in the United States on January 1, 1995, for the additional five articles as well as all of the products being considered for addition to and removal from the list of GSP-eligible products listed in Tables A and B of the Annex to the December 30, 2015, request letter.

No dates have changed in the investigation. The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 28, 2016. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.

A public hearing will be held on February 24, 2016, and requests to appear at the hearing must be received by 5:15 p.m. on February 1, 2016.  Written submissions must be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 29, 2016.

Further information on the revised scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of expansion of scope, dated January 19, 2015.  Information on the original investigation can be found in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated January 12, 2016.  Both notices can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2015 Review (Investigation No. 332-556), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter  received on December 30, 2015.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the addition of the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings and statistical reporting numbers:

For all GSP-eligible countries: 

• 2204.21.20 (effervescent wine),
• 3301.13.00 (essential oils of lemon),
• 7202.11.50 (ferromanganese containing by weight more than 4 percent of carbon).

For all GSP-eligible countries, least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDC), and/or African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) beneficiary developing countries:

• 24 HTS subheadings and statistical reporting numbers for certain handbags and travel goods products (4202.11.00, 4202.11.0030, 4202.11.0090, 4202.12.40, 4202.21.60, 4202.21.90, 4202.22.15, 4202.22.45, 4202.31.60, 4202.32.40, 4202.32.80, 4202.92.15, 4202.92.20, 4202.92.45, 4202.99.90, 4202.12.2020, 4202.12.2050, 4202.12.8030, 4202.12.8070, 4202.22.8050, 4202.32.9550, 4202.32.9560, 4202.91.0030, and 4202.91.0090).

The USTR also requested that the USITC provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of the removal of five HTS subheadings for specified countries. The removals in consideration are:

• 3204.20.10 (fluorescent brightening agent 32) from India and Indonesia,
• 3204.20.80 (other fluorescent brightening agents) from India and Indonesia,
• 3907.60.00 (PET resin also known as polyethylene terephthalate in primary forms) from India,

• 3920.62.00 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, noncellular, of polyethylene terephthalate) from Brazil,
• 3921.90.40 (nonadhesive plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, flexible, nesoi, of noncellular plastics) from Brazil.

In addition, the USITC will provide advice on the likely impact on U.S. imports, competing U.S. industries, and U.S. consumers of competitive need limitation waivers for specified countries. "Competitive need limitations" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP.  Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.  With respect to the competitive need limit in section 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the USITC, as requested, will use the dollar value limit of $170 million. The eight HTS subheadings in consideration are:

• 0804.10.60 (dates, fresh or dried, whole, without pits, packed in units weighing over 4.6 kg) from Tunisia,
• 1509.1040 (virgin olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, not chemically modified, weighing with the immediate container 18 kg or over) from Tunisia,
• 2102.20.60 (single-cell micro-organisms, dead, excluding yeasts, but not including vaccines of heading 3002) from Brazil,
• 2202.90.90 (nonalcoholic beverages, nesoi, not including fruit or vegetable juices of heading 2009) from Thailand,
• 2804.29.00 (rare gases, other than argon) from Ukraine,
• 4202.92.04 (insulated beverage bag with outer surface textiles, interior only flexible plastic container storing/dispensing beverage thru flexible tubing) from Philippines,
• 6911.10.37 (porcelain or china, other than bone china, household table and kitchenware in sets in which aggregate value of articles are over $56, but not over $200) from Indonesia, and
• 8708.50.95 (parts and accessories of motor vehicle of 8701, nesoi, 8702 and 8704-8705, half-shafts) from India.

The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 28, 2016. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.

The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation 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 hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on February 24, 2016. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 1, 2016, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 29, 2016.  All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of this investigation and appropriate submissions appears in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated January 12, 2015. The notice can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2014 Review, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on August 21, 2015. The USTR requested that the USITC issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information deleted.

The investigation provides advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 for two Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings for Thailand. "Competitive need limits" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.

The HTS subheadings being considered for competitive need limitation waivers are:  2008.19.15 (prepared or preserved coconut) from Thailand and 7408.29.10 (copper wire alloys, wire, coated or plated with metal) from Thailand. The USITC also provided advice with respect to whether like or directly competitive products were being produced in the United States on January 1, 1995, and the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, as well as on consumers, of the requested waivers.  The USITC provided the requested data separately and individually for each U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading subject to this request.

The USITC also provided data on the addition of five HTS subheadings for least-developed developing beneficiary countries (LDDBC); the data included U.S. production, imports, exports, and consumption figures for five cotton articles for the period 2012-2014.

The HTS subheadings being considered are:  5201.00.18 (cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), n/harsh or rough, nesoi); 5201.00.28 (cotton not carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length of 29.36875 mm or more but under 34.925 mm & white in color, nesoi); 5201.00.38 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, nesoi); 5202.99.30 (cotton card strips made from cotton waste

having staple length under 30.1625 mm & lap, sliver & roving waste, nesoi); and 5203.00.30 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed, but not spun, nesoi).

Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2014 Review (Investigation No. 332-554, USITC publication 4562, August 2015) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4562.pdf.

USITC general factfinding investigations cover matters related to tariffs or trade. The investigations are generally conducted at the request of USTR, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Generalized System of Preferences: Possible Modifications, 2014 Review, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 for two Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings for Thailand. "Competitive need limits" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.

The HTS subheadings being considered for competitive need limitation waivers are:  2008.19.15 (coconuts, otherwise prepared or preserved, nesoi) from Thailand and 7408.29.10 (copper alloys (o/than brass, cupro-nickel or nickel-silver), wire, coated or plated with metal) from Thailand. The USITC will also provide advice with respect to whether like or directly competitive products were being produced in the United States on January 1, 1995, and the probable economic effect on total U.S. imports, as well as on consumers, of the requested waivers.  The USITC will provide the requested data separately and individually for each U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading subject to this request.

The USITC also will provide data on the addition of five HTS subheadings for least-developed developing beneficiary countries (LDDBC); the data will include U.S. production, imports, exports, and consumption figures for five cotton articles for the period 2012-2014. 

The HTS subheadings being considered are:  5201.00.18 (cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), n/harsh or rough, nesoi); 5201.00.28 (cotton not carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length of 29.36875 mm or more but under 34.925 mm & white in color, nesoi); 5201.00.38 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, nesoi); 5202.99.30 (cotton card strips made from cotton waste having staple length under 30.1625 mm & lap, sliver & roving waste, nesoi); and 5203.00.30 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed, but not spun, nesoi).

The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by August 28, 2015.  As soon as possible thereafter, as requested by the USTR, the USITC will issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.

The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation 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 welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at 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 July 30, 2015.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effect of possible modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment for specified U.S. imports from certain developing countries.

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2011 Review of Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on May 14, 2012. The USTR requested that the USITC issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information deleted.

The investigation provides advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries on U.S. imports, and on U.S. consumers, of granting GSP eligibility for the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings and countries as noted:

For all GSP-eligible countries:

 

 

• 3923.21.00 (sacks and bags (including cones) for the conveyance or packing of goods, of polymers of ethylene (Petition seeks GSP eligibility for statistical reporting number 3923.21.00.30, which would need to become a new eight-digit HTS subheading.)).

For least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDC):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 5201.00.18 (cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), n/harsh or rough, nesoi),
• 5201.00.22 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, described in gen. note 15),
• 5201.00.24 (cotton,/carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length 29.36875 mm or more but n/o 34.925 mm, white in color, quota described in ch 52 add US note 6),
• 5201.00.28 (cotton, not carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length of 29.36875 mm or more but under 34.925 mm & white in color, nesoi),
• 5201.00.34 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, other, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 7),
• 5201.00.38 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, nesoi),
• 5202.91.00 (cotton garnetted stock),
• 5202.99.30 (cotton card strips made from cotton waste having staple length under 30.1625 mm & lap, sliver & roving waste, nesoi),
• 5203.00.05 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed but not spun, described in gen. note 15),
• 5203.00.10 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed but not spun, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 10),
• 5203.00.30 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed, but not spun, nesoi), and
• 5203.00.50 (cotton carded or combed, excluding fibers of cotton processed but not spun).

Additionally, the investigation provides advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries, on U.S. imports, and on U.S. consumers of granting competitive need limitation waivers on the following nine HTS subheadings for the countries as noted. "Competitive need limitations" set the maximum U.S. import level for GSP eligibility and are based on the dollar value or share of total imports of a given product. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 1602.50.20 (prepared or preserved beef in airtight containers, other than corned beef, not containing cereals or vegetables) from Argentina,
• 2840.19.00 (disodium tetraborate (refined borax) except anhydrous) from Turkey,
• 2921.19.60 (other acyclic monoamines and their derivatives) from the Philippines,
• 2922.41.00 (lysine and its esters and salts thereof) from Brazil,
• 3307.41.00 ("agarbatti" and other odoriferous preparations which operate by burning, to perfume or deodorize rooms or used during religious rites) from India,
• 4015.19.10 (seamless gloves of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber, other than surgical or medical gloves) from Thailand,
• 7606.12.30 (aluminum alloy, plates/sheets/strip, w/thick. o/0.2mm, rectangular (inc. sq), not clad) from Indonesia,
• 8415.90.80 (parts for air conditioning machines, nesi) from Thailand, and
• 8708.30.50 (pts. & access. of mtr. vehicles of 8701, nesoi, and 8702-8705, brakes and servo-brakes & pts thereof) from India.

Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2011 Review of Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers (Investigation No. 332-529, USITC publication 4327, May 2012) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4327.pdf.

The report may be requested by sending an email to 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. The investigations are generally conducted at the request of USTR, the Senate Committee on Finance, or the House Committee on Ways and Means; the USITC may also self-initiate investigations. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2011 Review of Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers (Investigation No. 332-529), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation 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 hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on March 30, 2012. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 12, 2012, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. In the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the close of business on March 12, 2012, the hearing will be canceled. For further information, please call 202-205-2595.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 4, 2012.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of the addition of the following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings:

For all GSP-eligible countries:

• 3923.21.00 (sacks and bags (including cones) for the conveyance or packing of goods, of polymers of ethylene).

For least-developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDC):

• 5201.00.18 (cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1-1/8 inches), n/harsh or rough, nesoi),
• 5201.00.22 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, described in gen. note 15),
• 5201.00.24 (cotton,/carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length 29.36875 mm or more but n/o 34.925 mm, white in color, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 6),
• 5201.00.28 (cotton, not carded or combed, harsh or rough, staple length of 29.36875 mm or more but under 34.925 mm & white in color, nesoi),
• 5201.00.34 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, other, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 7),
• 5201.00.38 (cotton, not carded or combed, staple length of 28.575 mm or more but under 34.925 mm, nesoi),
• 5202.91.00 (cotton garnetted stock),
• 5202.99.30 (Cotton card strips made from cotton waste having staple length under 30.1625 mm & lap, sliver & roving waste, nesoi),
• 5203.00.05 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed but not spun, described in gen. note 15),
• 5203.00.10 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed but not spun, quota described in chapter 52 add'l US note 10),
• 5203.00.30 (cotton fibers, carded or combed, of cotton fiber processed, but not spun, nesoi), and
• 5203.00.50 (cotton carded or combed, excluding fibers of cotton processed but not spun).

The USITC also will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers on the following 9 HTS subheadings for certain countries:

• 1602.50.20 (prepared or preserved beef in airtight containers, other than corned beef, not containing cereals or vegetables) from Argentina,
• 2840.19.00 (disodium tetraborate (refined borax) except anhydrous) from Turkey,
• 2921.19.60 (other acyclic monoamines and their derivatives) from Philippines,
• 2922.41.00 (lysine and its esters and salts thereof) from Brazil,
• 3307.41.00 ("agarbatti" and other odoriferous preparations which operate by burning, to perfume or deodorize rooms or used during religious rites) from India,
• 4015.19.10 (seamless gloves of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber, other than surgical or medical gloves) from Thailand,
• 7606.12.30 (aluminum alloy, plates/sheets/strip, w/thick. o/0.2mm, rectangular (inc. sq), not clad) from Indonesia,
• 8415.90.80 (parts for air conditioning machines, nesi) from Thailand, and
• 8708.30.50 (pts. & access. of mtr. vehicles of 8701, nesoi, and 8702-8705, brakes and servo-brakes & pts thereof) from India.

The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by May 14, 2012. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC, as requested by USTR, will issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released a public version of its confidential report on the probable economic effects of making certain products eligible for duty- free treatment and for waiving the competitive need limit for certain goods under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The report, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2012 Review: Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

The USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, submitted a confidential version of the report to the USTR on April 8, 2013.

As requested, the USITC provided advice as to the impact of the addition of certain products to the list of articles eligible for the GSP.

The reviewed products were: fresh cut sweetheart, spray, and other roses (HTS 0603.11.00, 0603.11.0010, 0603.11.0030, and 0603.11.0060); vegetables not elsewhere specific or included, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen, reduced in size (HTS 0710.80.97) or the 3 existing 10 digit lines for broccoli (HTS 0710.80.9722, 0710.80.9724, and 0710.80.9726); artichokes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, and not frozen (HTS 2005.99.80); and refined copper wire less than 6 mm in diameter (HTS 7408.19.0030).

The USITC also provided advice, as requested, as to the effect on U.S. industries, imports, and consumers of granting a waiver of the competitive need limit for Brazil for imports of calcium silicon ferroalloys (HTS 7202.99.20).

"Competitive need limitations" (CNLs) set the maximum U.S. import level for GSP eligibility and are based on the dollar value or share of total imports of a given product. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted.

The USTR published full article descriptions of a number of products for which CNL waiver petitions had been filed in the Federal Register (77FR249) on December 28, 2012. The USTR subsequently notified the USITC that petitions requesting CNL waivers for all but calcium-silicon imports from Brazil had been withdrawn, and the USITC revised the scope of its investigation accordingly.

Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2012 Review: Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers (Investigation No. 332-538, USITC Publication 4391, April 2013) is available on the USITC's Internet site at http://www.usitc.gov/publications/332/pub4391.pdf.

The report may be requested by sending an email to 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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2012 Review: Additions and Competitive Need Limitation Waivers, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of the addition of 10 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings to the list of articles eligible for the GSP. The HTS subheadings being considered for additions are: 0603.11.00 or 0603.11.0010, 0603.11.0030, 0603.11.0060 (sweetheart, spray, and other roses, fresh cut); 0710.80.97 or 0710.80.9722, 0710.80.9724, 0710.80.9726 (vegetables not elsewhere specific or included, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen, reduced in size or the 3 existing 10 digit lines for broccoli); 2005.99.80 (artichokes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen); and 7408.19.0030 (refined copper, wire, with maximum cross-sectional dimension of 6 mm or less).

The USITC also will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of competitive need limitation waivers on 12 HTS subheadings for certain countries. "Competitive need limits" represent the maximum import level of a product that is eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP. Once the limit is reached, trade is considered "competitive," benefits are no longer needed, and imports of the article become ineligible for GSP treatment, unless a waiver is granted. With respect to the competitive need limit in section 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the USITC, as requested, will use the dollar value limit of $155 million.

The HTS subheadings being considered for competitive need limitation waivers are: 0410.00.00 (edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included) from Indonesia; 0603.13.00 (orchids: cut flowers and flower buds of a kind suitable for bouquets or for ornamental purposes, fresh, dried, dyed, bleached, impregnated or otherwise prepared) from Thailand; 1102.90.25 (rice flour) from Thailand; 2106.90.99 (food preparations not elsewhere specified or included, not canned or frozen) from Thailand; 6911.10.37 (porcelain or china (other than bone china) household table & kitchenware in sets in which aggregate value of articles is over $56 but not over $200) from Indonesia; 7202.21.50 (ferrosilicon containing by weight more than 55% but not more than 80% of silicon, not elsewhere specified or included) from Russia; 7202.30.00 (ferrosilicon manganese) from Georgia; 7202.99.20 (calcium silicon ferroalloys) from Brazil; 7307.21.50 (stainless steel, not cast, flanges for tubes/pipes, not forged or forged and machined, tooled and otherwise processing after forging) from India; 7307.91.50 (iron or steel (other than stainless), not cast, flanges for tubes/pipes, not forged or forged and machined, tooled and processed after forging) from India; 7408.29.10 (copper wire, coated or plated with metal) from Thailand; and 9506.70.40 (ice skates with footwear permanently attached) from Thailand.

The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 8, 2013. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report containing only the unclassified sections, with any business confidential information and classified information deleted.

The USITC is seeking input for its investigation 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 hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on February 27, 2013. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on February 11, 2013, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 4, 2013.

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 Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

Subscribe to Generalized System of Preferences