Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to Mexico's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement, 43133-43135 [2012-17933]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
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as investment, intellectual property
and/or government procurement) to be
discussed. A copy of the testimony must
accompany the notification. Remarks at
the hearing should be limited to no
more than five minutes to allow for
possible questions from the TPSC.
Persons with mobility impairments who
will need special assistance in gaining
access to the hearing should contact the
TPSC Executive Secretary.
Interested persons, including persons
who participate in the hearing, may
submit written comments by no later
than noon, September 4, 2012.
Public Comment: Requirements for
Submissions
Persons submitting written comments
must do so in English and must identify
(on the first page of the submission)
‘‘Participation of Canada in the TransPacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.’’
Persons may submit public comments
electronically to www.regulations.gov
docket number USTR–2012–0015. In
order to be assured of consideration,
comments should be submitted by noon,
September 4, 2012.
In order to ensure the timely receipt
and consideration of comments, USTR
strongly encourages commenters to
make on-line submissions, using the
https://www.regulations.gov Web site.
Comments should be submitted under
the following docket: USTR–2012–0015.
To find the docket, enter the docket
number in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’
window at the https://
www.regulations.gov home page and
click ‘‘Search.’’ The site will provide a
search-results page listing all documents
associated with this docket. Find a
reference to this notice by selecting
‘‘Notices’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on
the search-results page, and click on the
link entitled ‘‘Comment Now.’’
(For further information on using the
www.regulations.gov Web site, please
consult the resources provided on the
web site by clicking on the ‘‘Help’’ tab.)
The https://www.regulations.gov Web
site provides the option of providing
comments using the ‘‘Type Comments’’
field, or by attaching a document using
the ‘‘Upload File(s)’’ field. USTR prefers
submissions to be provided in an
attached document. If a document is
attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See
attached’’ in the ‘‘Type Comments’’
field. USTR also prefers submissions in
Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat
(.pdf). If the submission is in an
application other than those two, please
indicate the name of the application in
the ‘‘Type Comments’’ field.
For any comments submitted
electronically containing business
confidential information, the file name
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:21 Jul 20, 2012
Jkt 226001
of the business confidential version
should begin with the characters ‘‘BC.’’
Any page containing business
confidential information must be clearly
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’
on the top of that page. Filers of
submissions containing business
confidential information must also
submit a public version of their
comments. The file name of the public
version should begin with the character
‘‘P.’’ The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be
followed by the name of the person or
entity submitting the comments or reply
comments. Filers submitting comments
containing no business confidential
information should name their file using
the character ‘‘P,’’ followed by the name
of the person or entity submitting the
comments.
Please do not attach separate cover
letters to electronic submissions; rather,
include any information that might
appear in a cover letter in the comments
themselves. Similarly, to the extent
possible, please include any exhibits,
annexes, or other attachments in the
same file as the submission itself, not as
separate files.
USTR strongly urges submitters to file
comments through
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible.
Any alternative arrangements must be
made with Donald W. Eiss in advance
of transmitting a comment. Mr. Eiss
should be contacted at (202) 395–3475.
General information concerning USTR
is available at https://www.ustr.gov.
Douglas Bell,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2012–17932 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290–F2–P
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments on Negotiating
Objectives With Respect to Mexico’s
Participation in the Proposed TransPacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
ACTION: Request for comments on
negotiating objectives with respect to
Mexico’s participation in the ongoing
negotiations of a Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, and
notice of public hearing.
AGENCY:
The United States intends to
commence negotiations with Mexico as
part of the ongoing negotiations of a TPP
trade agreement. Including Mexico in
the TPP negotiations furthers the
objective of achieving a high-standard,
broad-based Asia-Pacific regional
agreement. The Office of the United
States Trade Representative (USTR) is
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
43133
seeking public comments on all
elements related to Mexico’s
participation in the TPP negotiations in
order to develop U.S. negotiating
positions.
DATES: Persons wishing to testify orally
at the hearing must provide written
notification of their intention, as well as
their testimony, by September 4, 2012.
The hearing will be held in Washington,
DC, on September 21, 2012. Written
comments are due by noon, September
4, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Submissions via on-line:
www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to
on-line submissions, please contact
Donald W. Eiss at (202) 395–3475.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
questions concerning requirements for
written comments, please contact
Donald W. Eiss at (202) 395–3475. All
other questions regarding this notice
should be directed to Kent Shigetomi,
Director for Mexico and NAFTA, at
(202) 395–3412.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
On November 13, 2011, Mexican
Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari stated
Mexico’s intention to begin
consultations with the current TPP
participating countries regarding
Mexico’s participation in the TPP
negotiations. On December 7, 2011,
USTR published notices in the Federal
Register (76 FR 76479), seeking public
comments on Mexico’s possible
participation in the TPP negotiations.
On July 9, 2012, following
consultations with relevant
Congressional committees and after
having reached consensus on Mexico’s
participation with the other TPP
negotiating partners (Australia, Brunei
Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam),
the U.S. Trade Representative informed
Congress that the President intends to
commence negotiations with Mexico in
the context of the ongoing negotiations
of the TPP. The objective of this
negotiation is to achieve a highstandard, 21st century agreement with a
membership and coverage that provides
economically significant market access
opportunities for America’s workers,
manufacturers, service suppliers,
farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.
The addition of Mexico to the group of
TPP negotiating partners will contribute
meaningfully to the achievement of
these goals.
In addition, under the Trade Act of
1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2151,
2153), in the case of an agreement such
as the proposed TPP trade agreement,
the President must (i) afford interested
E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM
23JYN1
43134
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
persons an opportunity to present their
views regarding any matter relevant to
the proposed agreement, (ii) designate
an agency or inter-agency committee to
hold a public hearing regarding the
proposed agreement, and (iii) seek the
advice of the U.S. International Trade
Commission (ITC) regarding the
probable economic effects on U.S.
industries and consumers of the
removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers
on imports pursuant to the proposed
agreement.
USTR intends to hold a public
hearing on matters related to Mexico’s
participation in the TPP negotiations on
September 21, 2012. In addition, USTR
has requested the ITC to provide advice
to USTR on the probable economic
effects of including Mexico in a TPP
agreement.
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its
negotiating objectives for the agreement,
the Trade Policy Subcommittee Chair
invites interested persons to submit
written comments and/or oral testimony
at a public hearing on matters relevant
to Mexico’s participation in the TPP
negotiations. Members of the public
who submitted comments in response to
the earlier request (76 FR 76479) need
not make an additional submission
unless the comments are different.
Comments and testimony may
address the reduction or elimination of
tariffs or non-tariff barriers on any
articles provided for in the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS) that are products of Mexico,
any concession that should be sought by
the United States, or any other matter
relevant to the inclusion of Mexico in
the proposed TPP agreement. The TPSC
Chair invites comments on all of these
matters and, in particular, seeks
comments addressed to:
(a) General and product-specific
negotiating objectives for Mexico in the
context of this proposed regional
agreement.
(b) Economic costs and benefits to
U.S. producers and consumers of
removal of tariffs and removal or
reduction in non-tariff barriers on
articles traded with Mexico.
(c) Treatment of specific goods
(described by HTSUS numbers) under
the proposed regional agreement,
including comments on—
(1) Product-specific import or export
interests or barriers,
(2) experience with particular
measures that should be addressed in
the negotiations, and
(3) approach to tariff negotiations,
including ways to address export
priorities and import sensitivities
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:21 Jul 20, 2012
Jkt 226001
related to Mexico in the context of this
regional agreement.
(d) Adequacy of existing customs
measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries,
including Mexico, receive preferential
treatment, and appropriate rules of
origin for goods entering the United
States under the proposed regional
agreement.
(e) Existing sanitary and
phytosanitary measures and technical
barriers to trade imposed by Mexico that
should be addressed in the negotiations.
(f) Existing barriers to trade in
services between the United States and
Mexico that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(g) Relevant electronic commerce
issues that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(h) Relevant trade-related intellectual
property rights issues that should be
addressed in the negotiations.
(i) Relevant investment issues that
should be addressed in the negotiations.
(j) Relevant competition-related
matters that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(k) Relevant government procurement
issues that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(l) Relevant environmental issues that
should be addressed in the negotiations.
(m) Relevant labor issues that should
be addressed in the negotiations.
In addition to the matters described
above, USTR is addressing new and
emerging issues in this proposed
regional agreement. Specifically, USTR
is considering new approaches designed
to promote innovation and
competitiveness, encourage new
technologies and emerging economic
sectors, increase the participation of
small- and medium-sized businesses in
trade, and support the development of
efficient production and supply chains
that include U.S. firms in order to
encourage firms to invest and produce
in the United States. The Chair of the
Trade Policy Staff Committee (TSPC)
invites comments regarding how
Mexico’s participation in the
negotiations might affect these new
approaches. The TPSC Chair also invites
comments on the impact of Mexico’s
participation in the negotiations on
other trade-related priorities in this
regional agreement, including
environmental protection and
conservation, transparency, workers
rights and protections, development,
and other issues.
USTR has already provided notice
and requested comments on the scope
for an environmental review of the
proposed TPP trade agreement (see 75
FR 14470, March 25, 2010). As
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
described above, the present notice
invites comments on, among other
topics, environmental issues to be
addressed in the TPP negotiations to
take into account Mexico’s participation
in the negotiation. Further comments
are also invited on the environmental
review, including possible changes in
the scope or other issues that should be
addressed in the review. At a later date,
USTR, through the TPSC, will publish
notice of reviews regarding the impact
of the proposed agreement on U.S.
employment and labor markets. These
reviews will take into account Mexico’s
participation in the negotiations.
A hearing will be held on September
21, 2012, in Rooms 1, and 2, 1724 F
Street NW., Washington, DC. Persons
wishing to testify at the hearing must
provide written notification of their
intention by September 4, 2012. The
notification should include: (1) The
name, address, and telephone number of
the person presenting the testimony;
and (2) a short (one or two paragraph)
summary of the presentation, including
the subject matter and, as applicable,
the products(s) (with HTSUS numbers),
service sector(s), or other subjects (such
as investment, intellectual property
and/or government procurement) to be
discussed. A copy of the testimony must
accompany the notification. Remarks at
the hearing should be limited to no
more than five minutes to allow for
possible questions from the TPSC.
Persons with mobility impairments who
will need special assistance in gaining
access to the hearing should contact the
TPSC Executive Secretary.
Interested persons, including persons
who participate in the hearing, may
submit written comments by no later
than noon, September 4, 2012.
Public Comment: Requirements for
Submissions
Persons submitting written comments
must do so in English and must identify
(on the first page of the submission)
‘‘Participation of Mexico in the TransPacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.’’
Persons may submit public comments
electronically to www.regulations.gov
docket number USTR–2012–0014. In
order to be assured of consideration,
comments should be submitted by noon,
September 4, 2012.
In order to ensure the timely receipt
and consideration of comments, USTR
strongly encourages commenters to
make on-line submissions, using the
https://www.regulations.gov Web site.
Comments should be submitted under
the following docket: USTR–2012–0014.
To find the docket, enter the docket
number in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’
window at the https://
E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM
23JYN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
www.regulations.gov home page and
click ‘‘Search.’’ The site will provide a
search-results page listing all documents
associated with this docket. Find a
reference to this notice by selecting
‘‘Notices’’ under ‘‘Document Type’’ on
the search-results page, and click on the
link entitled ‘‘Submit a Comment.’’ (For
further information on using the
www.regulations.gov Web site, please
consult the resources provided on the
web site by clicking on the ‘‘Help’’ tab.)
The https://www.regulations.gov Web
site provides the option of providing
comments using the ‘‘Type Comments’’
field, or by attaching a document using
the ‘‘Upload File(s)’’ field. USTR prefers
submissions to be provided in an
attached document. If a document is
attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See
attached’’ in the ‘‘Type Comments’’
field. USTR also prefers submissions in
Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat
(.pdf). If the submission is in an
application other than those two, please
indicate the name of the application in
the ‘‘Type Comments’’ field.
For any comments submitted
electronically containing business
confidential information, the file name
of the business confidential version
should begin with the characters ‘‘BC.’’
Any page containing business
confidential information must be clearly
marked ‘‘BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL’’
on the top of that page. Filers of
submissions containing business
confidential information must also
submit a public version of their
comments. The file name of the public
version should begin with the character
‘‘P.’’ The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be
followed by the name of the person or
entity submitting the comments or reply
comments. Filers submitting comments
containing no business confidential
information should name their file using
the character ‘‘P,’’ followed by the name
of the person or entity submitting the
comments.
Please do not attach separate cover
letters to electronic submissions; rather,
include any information that might
appear in a cover letter in the comments
themselves. Similarly, to the extent
possible, please include any exhibits,
annexes, or other attachments in the
same file as the submission itself, not as
separate files.
USTR strongly urges submitters to file
comments through
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible.
Any alternative arrangements must be
made with Donald W. Eiss in advance
of transmitting a comment. Mr. Eiss
should be contacted at (202) 395–3475.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:21 Jul 20, 2012
Jkt 226001
General information concerning USTR
is available at https://www.ustr.gov.
Douglas Bell,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2012–17933 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290–F2–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket DOT–OST–2010–0263]
Application of City Wings, Inc. D/B/A
Seaflight for Commuter Authority
Office of the Secretary, DOT.
Notice of Order to Show Cause
(Order 2012–7–22).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Department of
Transportation is directing all interested
persons to show cause why it should
not issue an order finding City Wings,
Inc. d/b/a Seaflight fit, willing, and able,
and awarding it Commuter Air Carrier
Authorization.
SUMMARY:
Persons wishing to file
objections should do so no later than
July 31, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Objections and answers to
objections should be filed in Docket
DOT–OST–2010–0263 and addressed to
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, (M–30, Room W12–
140), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West
Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC
20590, and should be served upon the
parties listed in Attachment A to the
order.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Damon D. Walker, Air Carrier Fitness
Division (X–56, Room W86–465), U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington,
DC 20590, (202) 366–7785.
Dated: July 17, 2012.
Susan L. Kurland,
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and
International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012–17894 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. DOT–OST–2012–0087]
Advisory Committee for Aviation
Consumer Protection
Office of the Secretary (OST),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of second meeting of
advisory committee.
AGENCY:
This notice announces the
second meeting of the Advisory
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Sfmt 4703
43135
Committee for Aviation Consumer
Protection.
DATES: The second meeting of the
advisory committee is scheduled for
August 7, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in
Meeting Rooms 8, 9 and 10 (located on
the lobby level of the West Building
with capacity for approximately 80
attendees) at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
Attendance is open to the public;
however, since access to the U.S. DOT
headquarters building is controlled for
security purposes, any member of the
general public who plans to attend this
meeting must notify the Department
contact noted below at least five (5)
calendar days prior to the meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
register to attend the meeting, please
contact Amanda Stokes, Associate
Research Analyst, Centra Technology,
Inc., stokesa@centratechnology.com;
703–894–6529. For other information
please contact Nicholas Lowry, Senior
Attorney, Office of the Assistant General
Counsel for Aviation Enforcement and
Proceedings, nick.lowry@dot.gov; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC,
20590; 202–366–9342 (phone), 202–
366–7152 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May
24, 2012, the Secretary, as mandated by
Section 411 of the FAA Modernization
and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112–
95, 126 Stat. 11 (2012)), established the
Advisory Committee on Aviation
Consumer Protection and announced
those persons appointed as members. By
notice dated June 13, 2012, the
Department announced the first meeting
of the committee. That meeting was
held on June 28, 2012. A charter for the
committee, drafted in accordance with
the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2,
sets forth policies for the operation of
the advisory committee and is available
on the Department’s Web site at
https://www.dot.gov/affairs/2012/
dot5912.html.
The second meeting of the committee
is scheduled for August 7, 2012, from
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time in
Meeting Rooms 8, 9, and 10 at the
Department’s headquarters, 1200 New
Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590.
The agenda topics for that second
meeting will include a continuation of
the presentation by the Office of
Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings
(Enforcement Office) regarding its
enforcement policies and initiatives
relating to air travel by persons with
E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43133-43135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17933]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to
Mexico's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade
Agreement
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Request for comments on negotiating objectives with respect to
Mexico's participation in the ongoing negotiations of a Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, and notice of public hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States intends to commence negotiations with Mexico
as part of the ongoing negotiations of a TPP trade agreement. Including
Mexico in the TPP negotiations furthers the objective of achieving a
high-standard, broad-based Asia-Pacific regional agreement. The Office
of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking public
comments on all elements related to Mexico's participation in the TPP
negotiations in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions.
DATES: Persons wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide
written notification of their intention, as well as their testimony, by
September 4, 2012. The hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on
September 21, 2012. Written comments are due by noon, September 4,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Submissions via on-line: www.regulations.gov. For
alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact Donald W. Eiss at
(202) 395-3475.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning requirements
for written comments, please contact Donald W. Eiss at (202) 395-3475.
All other questions regarding this notice should be directed to Kent
Shigetomi, Director for Mexico and NAFTA, at (202) 395-3412.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
On November 13, 2011, Mexican Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari
stated Mexico's intention to begin consultations with the current TPP
participating countries regarding Mexico's participation in the TPP
negotiations. On December 7, 2011, USTR published notices in the
Federal Register (76 FR 76479), seeking public comments on Mexico's
possible participation in the TPP negotiations.
On July 9, 2012, following consultations with relevant
Congressional committees and after having reached consensus on Mexico's
participation with the other TPP negotiating partners (Australia,
Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and
Vietnam), the U.S. Trade Representative informed Congress that the
President intends to commence negotiations with Mexico in the context
of the ongoing negotiations of the TPP. The objective of this
negotiation is to achieve a high-standard, 21st century agreement with
a membership and coverage that provides economically significant market
access opportunities for America's workers, manufacturers, service
suppliers, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. The addition of
Mexico to the group of TPP negotiating partners will contribute
meaningfully to the achievement of these goals.
In addition, under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C.
2151, 2153), in the case of an agreement such as the proposed TPP trade
agreement, the President must (i) afford interested
[[Page 43134]]
persons an opportunity to present their views regarding any matter
relevant to the proposed agreement, (ii) designate an agency or inter-
agency committee to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed
agreement, and (iii) seek the advice of the U.S. International Trade
Commission (ITC) regarding the probable economic effects on U.S.
industries and consumers of the removal of tariffs and non-tariff
barriers on imports pursuant to the proposed agreement.
USTR intends to hold a public hearing on matters related to
Mexico's participation in the TPP negotiations on September 21, 2012.
In addition, USTR has requested the ITC to provide advice to USTR on
the probable economic effects of including Mexico in a TPP agreement.
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its negotiating objectives for the
agreement, the Trade Policy Subcommittee Chair invites interested
persons to submit written comments and/or oral testimony at a public
hearing on matters relevant to Mexico's participation in the TPP
negotiations. Members of the public who submitted comments in response
to the earlier request (76 FR 76479) need not make an additional
submission unless the comments are different.
Comments and testimony may address the reduction or elimination of
tariffs or non-tariff barriers on any articles provided for in the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) that are
products of Mexico, any concession that should be sought by the United
States, or any other matter relevant to the inclusion of Mexico in the
proposed TPP agreement. The TPSC Chair invites comments on all of these
matters and, in particular, seeks comments addressed to:
(a) General and product-specific negotiating objectives for Mexico
in the context of this proposed regional agreement.
(b) Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of
removal of tariffs and removal or reduction in non-tariff barriers on
articles traded with Mexico.
(c) Treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under
the proposed regional agreement, including comments on--
(1) Product-specific import or export interests or barriers,
(2) experience with particular measures that should be addressed in
the negotiations, and
(3) approach to tariff negotiations, including ways to address
export priorities and import sensitivities related to Mexico in the
context of this regional agreement.
(d) Adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries, including Mexico, receive
preferential treatment, and appropriate rules of origin for goods
entering the United States under the proposed regional agreement.
(e) Existing sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical
barriers to trade imposed by Mexico that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(f) Existing barriers to trade in services between the United
States and Mexico that should be addressed in the negotiations.
(g) Relevant electronic commerce issues that should be addressed in
the negotiations.
(h) Relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that
should be addressed in the negotiations.
(i) Relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(j) Relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed
in the negotiations.
(k) Relevant government procurement issues that should be addressed
in the negotiations.
(l) Relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(m) Relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
In addition to the matters described above, USTR is addressing new
and emerging issues in this proposed regional agreement. Specifically,
USTR is considering new approaches designed to promote innovation and
competitiveness, encourage new technologies and emerging economic
sectors, increase the participation of small- and medium-sized
businesses in trade, and support the development of efficient
production and supply chains that include U.S. firms in order to
encourage firms to invest and produce in the United States. The Chair
of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TSPC) invites comments regarding
how Mexico's participation in the negotiations might affect these new
approaches. The TPSC Chair also invites comments on the impact of
Mexico's participation in the negotiations on other trade-related
priorities in this regional agreement, including environmental
protection and conservation, transparency, workers rights and
protections, development, and other issues.
USTR has already provided notice and requested comments on the
scope for an environmental review of the proposed TPP trade agreement
(see 75 FR 14470, March 25, 2010). As described above, the present
notice invites comments on, among other topics, environmental issues to
be addressed in the TPP negotiations to take into account Mexico's
participation in the negotiation. Further comments are also invited on
the environmental review, including possible changes in the scope or
other issues that should be addressed in the review. At a later date,
USTR, through the TPSC, will publish notice of reviews regarding the
impact of the proposed agreement on U.S. employment and labor markets.
These reviews will take into account Mexico's participation in the
negotiations.
A hearing will be held on September 21, 2012, in Rooms 1, and 2,
1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC. Persons wishing to testify at the
hearing must provide written notification of their intention by
September 4, 2012. The notification should include: (1) The name,
address, and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony;
and (2) a short (one or two paragraph) summary of the presentation,
including the subject matter and, as applicable, the products(s) (with
HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects (such as
investment, intellectual property and/or government procurement) to be
discussed. A copy of the testimony must accompany the notification.
Remarks at the hearing should be limited to no more than five minutes
to allow for possible questions from the TPSC. Persons with mobility
impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the
hearing should contact the TPSC Executive Secretary.
Interested persons, including persons who participate in the
hearing, may submit written comments by no later than noon, September
4, 2012.
Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions
Persons submitting written comments must do so in English and must
identify (on the first page of the submission) ``Participation of
Mexico in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.'' Persons
may submit public comments electronically to www.regulations.gov docket
number USTR-2012-0014. In order to be assured of consideration,
comments should be submitted by noon, September 4, 2012.
In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of
comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make on-line
submissions, using the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. Comments
should be submitted under the following docket: USTR-2012-0014. To find
the docket, enter the docket number in the ``Enter Keyword or ID''
window at the https://
[[Page 43135]]
www.regulations.gov home page and click ``Search.'' The site will
provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with
this docket. Find a reference to this notice by selecting ``Notices''
under ``Document Type'' on the search-results page, and click on the
link entitled ``Submit a Comment.'' (For further information on using
the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided
on the web site by clicking on the ``Help'' tab.)
The https://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of
providing comments using the ``Type Comments'' field, or by attaching a
document using the ``Upload File(s)'' field. USTR prefers submissions
to be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it
is sufficient to type ``See attached'' in the ``Type Comments'' field.
USTR also prefers submissions in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat
(.pdf). If the submission is in an application other than those two,
please indicate the name of the application in the ``Type Comments''
field.
For any comments submitted electronically containing business
confidential information, the file name of the business confidential
version should begin with the characters ``BC.'' Any page containing
business confidential information must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS
CONFIDENTIAL'' on the top of that page. Filers of submissions
containing business confidential information must also submit a public
version of their comments. The file name of the public version should
begin with the character ``P.'' The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be followed
by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments or reply
comments. Filers submitting comments containing no business
confidential information should name their file using the character
``P,'' followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the
comments.
Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic
submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a
cover letter in the comments themselves. Similarly, to the extent
possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in
the same file as the submission itself, not as separate files.
USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements
must be made with Donald W. Eiss in advance of transmitting a comment.
Mr. Eiss should be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information
concerning USTR is available at https://www.ustr.gov.
Douglas Bell,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2012-17933 Filed 7-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F2-P
