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News Release 15-008
Inv. No(s). 337-TA-944
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to institute an investigation of certain network devices, related software, and components thereof. At issue in the investigations are certain types of network devices, such as switches and routers with particular configuration management, upgrade, recovery, security, and scalability functionalities.
The investigation is based on a complaint filed by Cisco Systems, Inc., of San Jose, CA, on December 19, 2014. The complaint alleges violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States and sale of certain network devices, related software, and components thereof that infringe patents asserted by Cisco Systems. The complainant requests that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.
The USITC has identified Arista Networks, Inc., of Santa Clara, CA, as the respondent in the investigation.
By instituting this investigation (337-TA-944), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case. The USITC's Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC's administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337; that initial determination is subject to review by the Commission.
The USITC will make a final determination in the investigation at the earliest practicable time. Within 45 days after institution of the investigation, the USITC will set a target date for completing the investigation. USITC remedial orders in section 337 cases are effective when issued and become final 60 days after issuance unless disapproved for policy reasons by the U.S. Trade Representative within that 60-day period.
News Release 15-007
Inv. No(s). 701-TA-511 and 731-TA-1246-1247 (Final)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products from China and Taiwan that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value and are subsidized by the government of China.
Vice Chairman Dean A. Pinkert and Commissioners Irving A. Williamson, David S. Johanson, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein voted in the affirmative. Chairman Meredith M. Broadbent voted in the affirmative with respect to modules from China and Taiwan and in the negative with respect to cells from Taiwan (cells from China were not included in the scope of these investigations). Commissioner F. Scott Kieff did not participate in these investigations.
As a result of the USITC’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue countervailing duty orders on imports of these products from China and antidumping duty orders on imports of these products from China and Taiwan.
The Commission’s public report Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products from China and Taiwan (Investigation Nos. 701-TA-511 and 731-TA-1246-1247 (Final), USITC Publication 4519, January 2015) will contain the views of the Commissioners and information developed during the investigations.
The report will be available after February 20, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
Office of Industries
Washington, DC 20436
FACTUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Products from China and Taiwan
Investigation Nos. 701-TA-511 and 731-TA-1246-1247 (Final)
Product Description:
China Scope:
The merchandise covered by this investigation is modules, laminates and/or panels consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including building integrated materials. For purposes of this investigation, subject merchandise includes modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells produced in a customs territory other than China.
Subject merchandise includes modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.
Excluded from the scope of this investigation are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are modules, laminates and/or panels assembled in China, consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000mm2 in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Where more than one module, laminate and/or panel is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all modules, laminates and/or panels that are integrated into the consumer good.
Further, also excluded from the scope of this investigation are any products covered by the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, laminates and/or panels, from China.1
Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 8501.61.0000, 8507.20.8030, 8507.20.8040, 8507.20.8060, 8507.20.8090, 8541.40.6020, 8541.40.6030 and 8501.31.8000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.
Taiwan Scope:
The merchandise covered by this investigation is crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, and modules, laminates and/or panels consisting of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products, including building integrated materials.
Subject merchandise includes crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of thickness equal to or greater than 20 micrometers, having a p/n junction formed by any means, whether or not the cell has undergone other processing, including, but not limited to, cleaning, etching, coating, and/or addition of materials (including, but not limited to, metallization and conductor patterns) to collect and forward the electricity that is generated by the cell.
Modules, laminates, and panels produced in a third-country from cells produced in Taiwan are covered by this investigation. However, modules, laminates, and panels produced in Taiwan from cells produced in a third-country are not covered by this investigation.
Excluded from the scope of this investigation are thin film photovoltaic products produced from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, not exceeding 10,000mm2 in surface area, that are permanently integrated into a consumer good whose function is other than power generation and that consumes the electricity generated by the integrated crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells. Where more than one cell is permanently integrated into a consumer good, the surface area for purposes of this exclusion shall be the total combined surface area of all cells that are integrated into the consumer good.
Further, also excluded from the scope of this investigation are any products covered by the existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the People’s Republic of China (“China”). Also excluded from the scope of this investigation are modules, laminates, and panels produced in China from crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells produced in Taiwan that are covered by an existing proceeding on such modules, laminates, and panels from China.
Merchandise covered by this investigation is currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under subheadings 8501.61.0000, 8507.20.8030, 8507.20.8040, 8507.20.8060, 8507.20.8090, 8541.40.6020, 8541.40.6030 and 8501.31.8000. These HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes; the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive.
Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Final antidumping and countervailing duty.
2. Petitioner: SolarWorld Industries America, Inc., Hillsboro, OR.
3. Investigation instituted by USITC: December 31, 2013.
4. USITC hearing: December 8, 2014.
5. USITC vote: January 21, 2014.
6. USITC notification of Department of Commerce: February 5, 2015.
U.S. Industry:
1. Number of U.S. producers in 2013: Nine.
2. Location of producers’ plants: Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington.
3. Employment of production and related workers in 2013 (modules): 768
4. U.S. producers’ U.S. shipments in 2013 (modules): $207.0 million
5. Apparent U.S. consumption in 2013 (modules): $2,077.1 million
6. Ratio of subject imports to apparent U.S. consumption in 2013 (modules): 82.8
U.S. Imports in 2013:
1. From the subject countries during 2013 (modules): $1,720.1 million
2. From other countries during 2013 (modules): $109.5 million
3. Leading sources during 2013 (modules, alphabetical order): China, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan.
1 See Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Amended Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and Antidumping Duty Order, 77 FR 73018 (December 7, 2012); Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules, From the People's Republic of China: Countervailing Duty Order, 77 FR 73017 (December 7, 2012).
News Release 15-006
Inv. No(s). 731-TA-1020 (Second Review)
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that revoking the existing antidumping duty order on barium carbonate from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.
As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determination, the existing order on imports of this product from China will remain in place.
All six Commissioners voted in the affirmative.
Today’s action comes under the five-year (sunset) review process required by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. See the attached page for background on this five-year (sunset) review.
The Commission’s public report Barium Carbonate from China (Inv. No. 731-TA-1020 (Second Review), USITC Publication 4518, February 2015) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the review.
The report will be available after February 23, 2015. After that date, it may be accessed on the USITC website at: http://pubapps.usitc.gov/applications/publogs/qry_publication_loglist.asp.
BACKGROUND
The Uruguay Round Agreements Act requires the Department of Commerce to revoke an antidumping or countervailing duty order, or terminate a suspension agreement, after five years unless the Department of Commerce and the USITC determine that revoking the order or terminating the suspension agreement would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping or subsidies (Commerce) and of material injury (USITC) within a reasonably foreseeable time.
The Commission’s institution notice in five-year reviews requests that interested parties file responses with the Commission concerning the likely effects of revoking the order under review as well as other information. Generally within 95 days from institution, the Commission will determine whether the responses it has received reflect an adequate or inadequate level of interest in a full review. If responses to the USITC’s notice of institution are adequate, or if other circumstances warrant a full review, the Commission conducts a full review, which includes a public hearing and issuance of questionnaires.
The Commission generally does not hold a hearing or conduct further investigative activities in expedited reviews. Commissioners base their injury determination in expedited reviews on the facts available, including the Commission’s prior injury and review determinations, responses received to its notice of institution, data collected by staff in connection with the review, and information provided by the Department of Commerce.
The five-year (sunset) review concerning Barium Carbonate from China was instituted on August 1, 2014.
On May 9, 2014, the Commission voted to conduct a full review. Commissioners David S. Johanson, Meredith M. Broadbent, F. Scott Kieff, and Rhonda K. Schmidtlein concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, but that circumstances warranted a full review. Commissioners Irving A. Williamson and Dean A. Pinkert concluded that the domestic group response for this review was adequate and that the respondent group response was inadequate, and voted for an expedited review.
A record of the Commission’s vote to conduct a full review is available from the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may be made by telephone by calling 202-205-1802.
News Release 12-123
Inv. No(s). 332-325
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Eighth Report Will Also Examine Services' Contribution to Manufacturing
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has begun an update of its report on the effects of significant U.S. import restraints. The report will also examine the contribution of services to U.S. manufacturing.
The report, The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints: Eighth Update Special Topic: Services' Contribution to Manufacturing, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on November 2, 2012. In the letter, the USTR noted that rapid growth and technological change in services are affecting economic activity throughout the world and that "a thoughtful review of the contributions of services (both U.S. and global) to U.S. manufacturing that is accessible to a wide audience would be a useful special topic in the report."
The eighth update will contain two parts. The first part will assess the economic effects of significant import restraints on U.S. consumers, workers, and firms. As in the past, and as requested by the USTR, the USITC will not assess import restraints resulting from antidumping or countervailing duty investigations, section 337 and 406 investigations, or section 301 actions.
The second part of the report will provide an overview of the contribution of both U.S. and global services to U.S. manufacturing. It will also describe recent trends in U.S. sourcing of services and their effect on manufacturing output and productivity, and it will identify sectors that have experienced the greatest changes. To the extent practicable, the report will also discuss the indirect contribution of services to merchandise exports.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with investigation at 9:30 a.m. on March 19, 2013. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 6, 2013, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on April 12, 2013. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigations and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated December 20, 2012, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.
USITC general factfinding investigations, such as these, 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, and the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject 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 investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 12-103
Inv. No(s). 332-537
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation into the global competitiveness of the U.S. commercial olive oil industry.
The investigation, Olive Oil: Conditions of Competition between U.S. and Major Foreign Supplier Industries, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means in a letter received on September 12, 2012.
In its letter, the Committee stated: "The U.S. commercial olive oil industry has grown rapidly over the last decade, employing modern agriculture technologies and research to capture the growing domestic demand for olive oil.... U.S. consumption of olive oil has increased approximately 40 percent in the past ten years. Although domestic production has increased, the vast majority of U.S. consumption is satisfied by imports."
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide, to the extent practicable, information and analysis on the major suppliers of olive oil, particularly Spain, Italy, and North African countries, as well as the United States. The report will cover the period 2008-2012 and to the extent possible will provide:
- an overview of the commercial olive oil industry in the United States and major supplier countries, including production of olives for olive oil processing, planted acreage and new plantings, processing volumes, processing capacity, carry-over inventory, and consumption;
- information on the international market for olive oil, including U.S. and foreign supplier imports and exports of olive oil in its various forms, olive oil trade between the European Union and North African countries, and a history of the tariff treatment and classification of olive oil;
- a qualitative and, to the extent possible, quantitative assessment of the role of imports, standards and grading, prices, and other factors on olive oil consumption in the U.S. market; and
- a comparison of the competitive strengths and weaknesses of the commercial olive production and olive oil processing industries in the major producing countries and the United States, including factors such as industry structure, input production costs and availability, processing technology, product innovation, government support and other government intervention, exchange rates, and marketing regimes, plus steps each respective industry is taking to increase its competitiveness.
The USITC will submit its report to the Committee by August 12, 2013.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 10:30 a.m. on December 5, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 14, 2012, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of 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 12, 2013. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated October 1, 2012, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary 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 subject 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 investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 12-094
Inv. No(s). 332-534
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation into trade and market trends in the renewable energy services sector.
The investigation, Renewable Energy and Related Services: Recent Developments, was requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The USITC provided reports on trade in this sector to the USTR in 2005. In the request letter, the USTR stated that since the publication of that report, the U.S. and global markets for such services have undergone significant change. The USTR noted that technological improvements and decreasing prices have led to rapid demand growth in the renewable energy services sector, particularly in the wind and solar power segments, but that changes in government incentive programs have created uncertainty regarding the future of the renewable energy market.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will, to the extent practicable:
- define types of renewable energy and related services, identify leading suppliers, and generally describe the relationship of renewable energy services to the development of renewable energy projects worldwide;
- estimate the size of the U.S. and global markets for certain renewable energy services, identify key export and import markets for such services, and describe factors affecting supply and demand;
- examine U.S. and global renewable energy services trade during 2007-2011, and highlight recent trends in investment in renewable energy projects and firms, including new business strategies or practices;
- identify barriers to U.S. trade and investment in renewable energy services, and examine recent efforts to liberalize trade in leading markets for such services; and
- examine the role of clean energy incentive programs in encouraging investment in and creating markets for renewable energy goods and services.
The USITC expects to deliver its report to the USTR by June 28, 2013.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with this at 9:30 a.m. on November 29, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 15, 2012, with the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record for the report. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 1, 2013. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 27, 2012. Questions about appearances and submissions should be directed to the Office of the Secretary 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 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 investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 12-093
Inv. No(s). 332-533
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation into trade and market trends in the environmental services sector.
The investigation, Environmental and Related Services, was requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The USITC provided reports on trade in the environmental services sector to the USTR in 2004- 2005. In the request letter, the USTR stated that since the publication of these reports, the U.S. and global markets for such services have undergone significant change. The USTR noted that although overall demand in the environmental services market has continued to rise, factors such as new technologies, tightening government budgets, and growing interest in environmental sustainability have altered the means through which such services are supplied.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will, to the extent practicable:
- estimate the size of the U.S. and global markets for certain environmental and related services, including water and wastewater services, solid and hazardous waste services, and remediation services; identify top suppliers and key country markets for such services; investigate factors affecting supply and demand in these market segments; and highlight market developments that have occurred within the last five years;
- estimate the value of trade and investment in the environmental services segments under investigation, identify key export and import markets for such services, and discuss recent trends in environmental services trade and investment; and
- identify barriers to trade and investment in the environmental services segments under investigation, discuss recent efforts to liberalize trade and investment in environmental services, and investigate the potential impact of further liberalization in environmental services.
The USITC expects to deliver its report to the USTR by March 29, 2013.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with this investigation at 9:30 a.m. on October 22, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 4, 2012, with the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record for this report. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 30, 2012. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 21, 2012. Questions about appearances and submissions should be directed to the Office of the Secretary 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 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 investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 12-088
Inv. No(s). 332-532, 332-536
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
Proposed New Products Could Gain Duty-Free Treatment from ITA Participant Countries
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched two investigations into the proposed expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).
The investigations were requested by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The investigations will cover 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.
In his request letter, the USTR noted that the successful conclusion of the ITA in 1996 opened markets in 42 countries to U.S. exports of computers, semiconductors, telecommunications, software, and other electronics products. The ITA now includes 74 participants representing 97 percent of trade in the products covered by the agreement. The ITA participants agreed in May 2012 to begin negotiations, under the auspices of the World Trade Organization, to expand ITA product coverage. The USTR indicated that formal negotiations are expected to begin in September 2012.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide the USTR with two reports.
The first report, The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part I (Inv. No. 332-532), will provide information concerning both the ICT and non-ICT uses of the listed products. It will also identify products that U.S. industry and other interested parties view as import sensitive. The USITC expects to deliver the first report to USTR by October 24, 2012.
The USITC is seeking written submissions for the record in connection with the first report and requests comments addressing product uses and import sensitivity. Written submissions must be received no later than 5:15 p.m. on September 6, 2012, and should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
The second report, The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part 2 (Inv. No. 332-536), will identify, for each product, the major producing countries; leading U.S. export markets; leading sources of U.S. imports; and tariffs applied to these products in major markets. The report will also include an overview of key subsectors and, to the extent practicable, examine the benefits to U.S. industry of ITA expansion. The USITC expects to deliver the second report to USTR by February 15, 2013.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the second report at 9:30 a.m. on November 8, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 31, 2012, with the Secretary to the Commission at the above address.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record for the second report. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 20, 2012. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 8, 2012. Questions about appearances and submissions for both reports should be directed to the Office of the Secretary 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 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 investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.
News Release 12-087
Inv. No(s). TA-131-036, TA-2104-028
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for newly initiated investigations into the probable economic effect of a U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) with members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), including Canada and Mexico.
The investigations, U.S.-Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement Including Canada and Mexico: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-Free Treatment for Imports, were requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received July 19, 2012.
In the request letter, the USTR stated that Canada and Mexico have joined TPP negotiations and asked the USITC to provide advice concerning the probable economic effect of a U.S. free trade agreement with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
For the current report, the USTR asked that the USITC, among other things, identify any changes in its advice from the earlier advice that did not include Canada and Mexico. The USITC has previously provided advice to the USTR concerning the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of products from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, plus Malaysia, under a TPP FTA (those reports remain classified by the USTR).
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of products of the ten TPP members on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the ITC will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for which tariffs will remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization and under U.S. free trade agreements that the United States has with a TPP country. The advice will be based on the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule nomenclature and trade data for the year 2011. The advice will assume that any known U.S. non-tariff barrier will not be applicable to such imports, and the USITC will note in its report any instance in which the continued application of a U.S. non-tariff barrier would result in different advice with respect to the effect of the removal of the duty.
In addition, as requested by the USTR, the USITC will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports of certain agricultural products of the TPP members on U.S. industries producing the product concerned and the economy as a whole. A list of the products is attached to the USTR's request letter, which can be obtained from the USITC's web site and its electronic document information system (EDIS).
The USITC expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the USTR by November 19, 2012.
The USITC is seeking input for these investigations from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the issues for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice.
The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigations on September 12, 2012. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on August 30, 2012, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on September 19, 2012. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated August 6, 2012, which can be downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.
News Release 12-035
Inv. No(s). 332-530
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation on trade facilitation in the East African Community (EAC).
The investigation, Trade Facilitation in the East African Community: Recent Developments and Potential Benefits, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on March 28, 2012.
In requesting the study, the USTR noted that the United States and the EAC recently began preliminary discussions on a potential new trade and investment partnership that aims to support regional integration and greater U.S.-EAC trade and investment. He said he believes that one of the initial steps under this initiative that could have the most immediate benefit to U.S.-EAC, regional, and multilateral trade would be engagement with the EAC on customs clearance and other practices at the border.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide a summary of recent developments relating to trade facilitation in the EAC. The USITC report will include a description of the potential benefits of trade facilitation to the EAC countries, based on empirical studies and the experiences of other developing countries. For purposes of the study, trade facilitation means the simplification of customs procedures affecting the movement of goods across borders, as well as improvements to transport infrastructure.
The USITC expects to submit its report to the USTR by July 2, 2012.
Although the information in the report will be based principally on a review of the available literature, the USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties. The USITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation; however, the USITC welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 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 May 10, 2012.
Further information on the scope of this investigation and the procedures for written submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated April 9, 2012, which can be downloaded from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Secretary at the above address.