News Release 10-005
Inv. No(s). 332-513
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for an investigation concerning a possible modification to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2010 Special Review, Certain Sleeping Bags (Investigation No. 332-513), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on January 19, 2010.
As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on the competing U.S. industry, U.S. imports, and U.S. consumers of the removal of HTS subheading 9404.30.80 (sleeping bags, not containing 20% or more by weight of feathers and/or down) from duty-free status with respect to all beneficiary countries.
The USITC will submit its confidential report to USTR by April 12, 2010. As soon as possible thereafter, the USITC will, as requested by USTR, issue a public version of the report.
The USITC is seeking input for its new investigation from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the article for which the USITC is requested to provide information and advice. The USITC will not hold a hearing in this investigation, but it 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. Documents should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on March 1, 2010.
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, and 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.
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