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News Release 20-049
Inv. No(s). TA-131-046 and TPA-105-007
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for currently dutiable imports from Kenya.
The investigation, U.S.-Kenya Trade Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-free Treatment for Currently Dutiable Imports, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on March 17, 2020.
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of currently dutiable products from Kenya on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive products and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the USITC will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) for which U.S. tariffs will remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization. The advice will be based on the HTSUS in effect during 2020 and trade data for the year 2019.
In addition, as requested, the USITC will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effects of eliminating tariffs on imports from Kenya of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing the products concerned and on the U.S. economy as a whole. A list of the agriculture products is attached to the USTR’s request letter.
The USITC expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the USTR by September 16, 2020.
The USITC is seeking input for the investigation 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 investigation on July 7, 2020. Because COVID-19 mitigation measures are in effect, the public hearing will be held via Go to Meeting.
Information about how to participate in the hearing will be posted on the Commission’s website at (https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm). Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 10, 2020, with the Secretary,
U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. See below for important information regarding filing a request to appear at a USITC hearing.
The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on July 14, 2020. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection. See below for important information regarding the filing of written submissions for USITC investigations.
IMPORTANT: All filings, including requests to appear at the hearing and written submissions, must be made through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov). No in-person paper-based filings or paper copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice. Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (EDIS3Help@usitc.gov), or consult the Commission’s Handbook on Filing Procedures.
Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC’s notice of investigation, dated May 26, 2020, 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 commissionhearings@usitc.gov.
News Release 19-010
Inv. No(s). FTA-103-032
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input on a newly initiated investigation concerning proposed modifications of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) rules of origin.
The investigation, U.S.-Korea FTA: Advice on Modifications to Certain Textile and Apparel Rules of Origin, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on February 22, 2019. The letter included an attachment detailing the certain textile and apparel articles affected by the proposed modifications.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the probable economic effect of the proposed U.S.-Korea FTA rules of origin modifications on U.S. trade under the KORUS, total U.S. trade, and on domestic producers of the affected articles.
The USITC expects to submit its advice to the USTR by June 24, 2019. A public version of the report, with all confidential business information deleted, will be released as soon as possible thereafter.
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 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 March 29, 2019.
Further information on the scope of this investigation, the proposed rules of origin modifications, and the procedures for written submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated March 11, 2019, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Secretary at the above address.
News Release 18-144
Inv. No(s). TA-131-045 and TPA-105-006
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for currently dutiable imports from the United Kingdom (UK).
The investigation, U.S.-UK Trade Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-free Treatment for Currently Dutiable Imports, was requested by the USTR in a letter received on November 9, 2018.
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of currently dutiable products from the UK on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive products and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the USITC will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) for which U.S. tariffs will remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization. The advice will be based on the HTSUS in effect during 2018 and trade data for the year 2017.
In addition, as requested, the USITC will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effects of eliminating tariffs on imports from the UK of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing the products concerned and on the U.S. economy as a whole. A list of the agriculture products is attached to the USTR’s request letter.
The USITC expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the USTR by May 8, 2019.
The USITC is seeking input for the investigation 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 investigation on January 31, 2019. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on January 10, 2019, 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 11, 2019. 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 December 7, 2018, 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 17-078
Inv. No(s). TA-131-042 and TPA-105-002
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation into the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for currently dutiable imports from Canada and Mexico.
The investigation, North American Free Trade Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-Free Treatment for Currently Dutiable Imports, was requested by the USTR in a letter received on May 18, 2017.
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for currently dutiable imports of products from Canada and Mexico (North American Free Trade Agreement member states) on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the USITC will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for which tariffs remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization. The advice will be based on the 2017 Harmonized Tariff Schedule nomenclature and trade data for the year 2016.
In addition, as requested, the USITC will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing the products concerned and on the U.S. economy as a whole. A list of the agriculture products is attached to the USTR’s request letter.
The USITC expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the USTR by August 16, 2017.
The USITC is seeking input for the investigation 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 investigation on June 20, 2017. Requests to appear at the hearing (one original and 8 copies) should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 7, 2017, 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 June 26, 2017. 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 May 26, 2017, 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 15-078
Inv. No(s). TA-131-41
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for an investigation into the probable economic effect of reduced duties on imports of certain environmental goods.
The investigation, APEC List of Environmental Goods: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty Reductions for Imports, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received August 5, 2015.
In the request letter, the USTR stated that in 2012, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders endorsed an APEC List of Environmental Goods, which includes 54 goods on which the Leaders agreed to reduce applied duties to 5 percent or less by the end of 2015. The USTR provided an attachment to the letter outlining the specific goods for which the USITC is asked to provide information.
The USTR further noted: “Section 103(a) of the Bipartisan Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 provides that the President may enter into trade agreements regarding tariff barriers, if the President determines that existing duties of any foreign country or the United States are unduly burdening and restricting U.S. trade. Further, this section permits the President to proclaim changes to duties the President determines to be required or appropriate to carry out any such trade agreement, subject to the requirement in section 131 of the Trade Act of 1974 to obtain advice regarding the proposed modifications from the U.S. International Trade Commission.”
As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of the proposed tariff modifications for the specified products on industries producing like or directly competitive articles, and on consumers.
The USITC expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the USTR by November 4, 2015.
The USITC is seeking input for the investigation 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 investigation on September 25, 2015.
Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on September 11, 2015, 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 October 2, 2015. 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 August 21, 2015, 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.