Office of the United States Trade Representative 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

2012 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing
Document Number: 2011-33289
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act.). The USTR is required to determine which, if any, of these countries should be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country's identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301-305 of the Trade Act. In addition, USTR has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch List'' to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons relying on intellectual property. Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas. USTR chairs an interagency team that reviews information from many sources, and that consults with and makes recommendations to the USTR on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 301 review process. In 2012, USTR will conduct a public hearing as part of the review process. USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries' acts, policies, or practices that are relevant to the decision as to whether a particular trading partner should be identified as a priority foreign country under Section 182 of the Trade Act, or be placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Interested parties, including foreign governments, wishing to testify at the public hearing must submit a request to testify at the hearing and a short hearing statement. The deadlines for these procedures are set out below.
Determination of Trade Surplus in Certain Sugar and Syrup Goods and Sugar-Containing Products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru
Document Number: 2011-33139
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-27
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
In accordance with relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of its determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. As described below, the level of a country's trade surplus in these goods relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the United States grants preferential tariff treatment under (i) the United StatesChile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA), in the case of Chile; (ii) the United StatesMorocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA), in the case of Morocco; (iii) the Dominican RepublicCentral AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), in the case of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and (iv) the United StatesPeru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA), in the case of Peru.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Review of Certain Pending Country Practice Petitions
Document Number: 2011-31829
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
As part of past GSP annual reviews, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) accepted for review petitions to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices. This notice announces the schedule for submissions and a public hearing on the ongoing reviews of outstanding country practice petitions related to concerns about internationally recognized worker rights and/or child labor in Bangladesh, Niger, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. In addition, the hearing will include testimony on a country practice petition related to the Republic of Georgia. (See 76 FR 67530.)
Procurement Thresholds for Implementation of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979
Document Number: 2011-31512
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Executive Order 12260 requires the United States Trade Representative to set the U.S. dollar thresholds for application of Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2511 et seq.), which implements U.S. trade agreement obligations, including those under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement, Chapter 15 of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Australia FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States- Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Bahrain FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Chile FTA), Chapter 9 of the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Morocco FTA), Chapter 10 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Oman FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (U.S.-Peru TPA), and Chapter 13 of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Singapore FTA). These obligations apply to covered procurements valued at or above specified U.S. dollar thresholds. Now, therefore, I, Ronald Kirk, United States Trade Representative, in conformity with the provisions of Executive Order 12260, and in order to carry out U.S. trade agreement obligations under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, Chapter 15 of the U.S.-Australia FTA, Chapter 9 of the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, Chapter 9 of the U.S.-Chile FTA, Chapter 9 of DR-CAFTA, Chapter 9 of the U.S.-Morocco FTA, Chapter 10 of NAFTA, Chapter 9 of the U.S.-Oman FTA, Chapter 9 of the U.S.-Peru TPA, and Chapter 13 of the U.S.-Singapore FTA, do hereby determine, effective on January 1, 2012: For the calendar years 2012 and 2013, the thresholds are as follows:
Request for Comments on Japan's Expression of Interest in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2011-31322
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Japanese Prime Minister Noda recently announced Japan's intention to begin consultations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries towards joining the TPP negotiations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is assessing Japan's expression of interest in the TPP negotiations in light of the TPP's high standards for liberalizing trade and specific issues of concern to the United States regarding Japanese barriers to agriculture, services, and manufacturing trade, including non-tariff measures. In conducting its assessment, USTR is seeking public comments on these concerns and all other elements related to Japan's interest in the TPP negotiations.
Request for Comments on Mexico's Expression of Interest in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2011-31318
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Mexican Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari recently stated Mexico's intention to begin consultations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries towards joining the TPP negotiations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is assessing Mexico's expression of interest in the TPP negotiations in light of the TPP's high standards for liberalizing trade and specific issues of concern to the United States regarding Mexican barriers to agriculture, services, and manufacturing trade, including non-tariff measures. In conducting its assessment, USTR is seeking public comments on these concerns and all other elements related to Mexico's interest in the TPP negotiations.
Request for Comments on Canada's Expression of Interest in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2011-31317
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently stated Canada's intention to begin consultations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries towards joining the TPP negotiations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is assessing Canada's expression of interest in the TPP negotiations in light of the TPP's high standards for liberalizing trade and specific issues of concern to the United States regarding Canadian barriers to agriculture, services, and manufacturing trade, including non-tariff measures. In conducting its assessment, USTR is seeking public comments on these concerns and all other elements related to Canada's interest in the TPP negotiations.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Extension of Deadlines for Filing Petitions for the 2011 Annual GSP Product and Country Practices Review
Document Number: 2011-31316
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The deadlines for submission of all petitions for consideration as part of the 2011 Annual GSP Product and Country Practices Review are extended to December 30, 2011.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations
Document Number: 2011-30934
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-12-01
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice is to inform the public of the availability of import statistics for the first nine months of 2011 relating to competitive need limitations (CNLs) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. These import statistics identify some articles for which the 2011 trade levels may exceed statutory CNLs. Interested parties may find this information useful in deciding whether to submit a petition to waive the CNLs for individual beneficiary developing countries (BDCs) with respect to specific GSP-eligible articles. As previously announced in the Federal Register (76 FR 67531 (November 1, 2011)), the deadline for submission of product petitions to waive the CNLs for individual BDCs with respect to GSP-eligible articles is 5 p.m., December 16, 2011.
Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements
Document Number: 2011-29750
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-11-18
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (`Section 1377'), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is reviewing and requests comments on the operation, effectiveness, and implementation of and compliance with the following agreements regarding telecommunications products and services of the United States: The World Trade Organization (``WTO'') General Agreement on Trade in Services; The North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA''); U.S. free trade agreements (``FTAs'') with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''), and any other telecommunications trade agreements, such as Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment. The USTR will conclude the review by March 31, 2012.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Initiation of a Review: Designation of the Republic of South Sudan as a Least Developed Beneficiary Developing Country
Document Number: 2011-28826
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-11-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces the initiation of a review to consider designation of the Republic of South Sudan (``South Sudan'') as a beneficiary developing country under the GSP program, including whether South Sudan should also be designated as a Least Developed Beneficiary Country, and solicits comments from the public relating to whether South Sudan meets the criteria for both designations. The deadline for submitting comments is 5 p.m. EST, November 29, 2011.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp and Diamond Sawblades From China
Document Number: 2011-28680
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-11-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that the People's Republic of China has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS422/3. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Initiation of the 2011 Annual GSP Product and Country Practices Review; Deadlines for Filing Petitions
Document Number: 2011-28252
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-11-01
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
This notice announces that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is prepared to receive petitions to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program and to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices. The deadline for submission of country practice petitions for the 2011 Annual Review is 5 p.m., December 5, 2011. The deadline for submission of product petitions, other than those requesting competitive need limitation (CNL) waivers, is 5 p.m., December 5, 2011. The deadline for submission of petitions requesting CNL waivers is 5 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2011. Decisions on which of the petitions that are submitted are accepted for review will be announced in the Federal Register at later dates.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Actions Arising Out of the 2010 Annual GSP Review
Document Number: 2011-28248
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-11-01
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
In September 2010, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) accepted petitions in connection with the 2010 GSP Annual Review to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices. In November 2010, USTR accepted petitions requesting waivers of GSP competitive need limitations (CNLs). On January 1, 2011, authorization of the GSP program lapsed. Following the recent reauthorization of the GSP program, the GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) announces that it has accepted for review a country practices petition submitted for the 2010 GSP Annual Review regarding the Republic of Georgia. This notice sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and conducting the public hearing on the newly accepted petition, requesting to participate in the hearing, and submitting pre- hearing and post-hearing briefs. The deadline for submitting pre- hearing comments and requesting participation in the hearing is 5 p.m., January 10, 2012. The petition can be found in docket USTR-2010-0017 at https://www.regulations.gov. This notice also announces that in view of the lapse in authorization of the GSP program through much of 2011, there will be no actions taken in 2011 with respect to CNLs, including no CNL-related removals of products from GSP eligibility and no redesignations of products currently subject to CNLs. Petitions previously accepted that requested waivers of CNL-related exclusions based on 2010 trade data are hereby dismissed.
North American Free Trade Agreement; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on the Chapter 19 Roster
Document Number: 2011-27257
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-21
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Chapter 19 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA'') provides for the establishment of a roster of individuals to serve on binational panels convened to review final determinations in antidumping or countervailing duty (``AD/CVD'') proceedings and amendments to AD/CVD statutes of a NAFTA Party. The United States annually renews its selections for the Chapter 19 roster. Applications are invited from eligible individuals wishing to be included on the roster for the period April 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013.
Revised Fiscal Year 2011 Tariff-Rate Quota Allocations for Refined Sugar
Document Number: 2011-25555
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-10-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of additional country-by-country allocations of the fiscal year (FY) 2011 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported refined sugar for entry through November 30, 2011.
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2011-25031
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-29
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Section 306 Monitoring of Paraguay: Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights: Request for Public Comment
Document Number: 2011-24985
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
In January 1998, the USTR designated Paraguay as a Priority Foreign Country in the 1998 Special 301 Report. A Section 301 investigation was initiated in February 1998, and was suspended in November 1998 after the United States and Paraguay successfully entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Intellectual Property Rights. USTR subsequently announced that the MOU would be monitored through Section 306 of the Trade Act of 1974. USTR hereby requests written submissions from the public concerning Paraguay's implementation of the MOU on Intellectual Property Rights, and additional actions that Paraguay should take, if any, to improve the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
2011 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets: Request for Public Comments
Document Number: 2011-24523
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-22
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
In 2010 the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) began publishing the notorious market list as an ``Out of Cycle Review'' separately from the annual Special 301 report. This review of Notorious Markets (``Notorious Markets List'') results in the publication of examples of Internet and physical markets that have been the subject of enforcement action or that may merit further investigation for possible intellectual property infringements. The Notorious Markets List does not represent a finding of violation of law, but rather is a summary of information that serves to highlight the problem of marketplaces that deal in infringing goods and which help sustain global piracy and counterfeiting. USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public identifying potential Internet and physical notorious markets that exist outside the United States and that may be included in the 2011 Notorious Markets List.
Determination Regarding Waiver of Discriminatory Purchasing Requirements With Respect to Goods and Services of Armenia
Document Number: 2011-24313
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-22
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Request for Public Comments on Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
Document Number: 2011-24312
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-22
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (the ``Subcommittee'') is requesting written public comments for the annual review of the eligibility of sub-Saharan African countries to receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (the AGOA). The Subcommittee will consider these comments in developing recommendations on AGOA country eligibility for calendar year 2012 for the President. Comments received related to the child labor criteria may also be considered by the Secretary of Labor in the preparation of the Department of Labor's report on child labor as required under section 412(c) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. This notice identifies the eligibility criteria that must be considered under the AGOA, and lists those sub- Saharan African countries that are currently eligible for the benefits of the AGOA and those that were ineligible for such benefits in 2011.
Notice and Request for Comments: Two-Year Extension of Softwood Lumber Agreement
Document Number: 2011-23676
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (``SLA'' or ``the Agreement'') entered into force on October 12, 2006 and is currently scheduled to expire on October 12, 2013. The SLA includes a provision for extension of the Agreement for an additional two years. The United States is considering extending the SLA through October 12, 2015. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the possible extension of the Agreement.
The Trade and Investment Partnership for the Middle East and North Africa
Document Number: 2011-22804
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-09-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
In his May 19, 2011, speech on recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the President called for a Trade and Investment Partnership Initiative to explore ways to further strengthen economic ties both between the United States and MENA countries and among the MENA countries themselves. Over the coming months, the United States, partnering where possible with the European Union and other key countries and entities, will launch a series of initiatives to facilitate more robust trade within the region and promote greater MENA integration with U.S. and other markets. To ensure that a wide range of priorities and concerns are addressed, U.S. Government officials will continue to reach out to business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia and other stakeholders in order to elicit ideas for shaping future economic engagement with this critical region. As part of this process, the U.S. Government welcomes written input from members of the public on ideas for deepening economic ties with and among MENA countries.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Diamond Sawblades and Parts Thereof From China
Document Number: 2011-21235
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-19
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on July 22, 2011, the People's Republic of China requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning anti-dumping measures regarding diamond sawblades and parts thereof from China. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS422/1/ Add.1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in China's July 22, 2011 consultation request.
Request for Public Comments on Interim Review of Eligibility of Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
Document Number: 2011-20486
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (the ``Subcommittee'') is requesting written public comments for the interim review of the eligibility of Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger to receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Subcommittee will consider these comments in developing recommendations on AGOA country eligibility for the President. Comments received related to the child labor criteria may also be considered by the Secretary of Labor for the preparation of the Department of Labor's report on child labor as required under section 412(c) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. This notice identifies the eligibility criteria that must be considered under the AGOA. Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Niger are currently ineligible for AGOA benefits.
Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China's Compliance With WTO Commitments
Document Number: 2011-20483
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will convene a public hearing and seek public comment to assist the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to the Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Request for Public Comments To Compile the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers and Reports on Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Standards-Related Foreign Trade Barriers
Document Number: 2011-20481
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Pursuant to section 181 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2241), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is required to publish annually the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). With this notice, the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting interested persons to submit comments to assist it in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services, and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the NTE. Once again, the TPSC is requesting that comments on standards- related measures and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures that create barriers to U.S. exports be submitted separately from other NTE comments. This will assist USTR in updating two reports issued in 2011 in conjunction with the release of the NTE highlighting SPS and standards-related measures that may be inconsistent with international trade agreements to which the United States is a party or that otherwise act as significant barriers to U.S. exports. These reports were published as the 2011 Report on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (2011 SPS Report) and the 2011 Report on Technical Barriers to Trade (2011 TBT Report) respectively. The TPSC invites written comments from the public on issues that USTR should examine in preparing the NTE and the reports on SPS and standards-related measures.
Fiscal Year 2012 Tariff-Rate Quota Allocations for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined and Specialty Sugar and Sugar-Containing Products
Document Number: 2011-20480
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar-containing products.
Trade Policy Staff Committee; Public Comments on the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act: Report to Congress
Document Number: 2011-20039
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-08-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is seeking the views of interested parties on the operation of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), as amended by the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) (19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.). Section 212(f) of the CBERA, as amended, requires the President to submit a report to Congress regarding the operation of the CBERA and CBTPA (together commonly referred to as the Caribbean Basin Initiative, or CBI) on or before December 31, 2001, and every two years thereafter. The TPSC invites written comments concerning the operation of the CBI, including comments on the performance of each CBERA and CBTPA beneficiary country, as the case may be, under the criteria described in sections 212(b), 212(c), and 213(b)(5)(B) of the CBERA, as amended. This information will be used in the preparation of a report to the U.S. Congress on the operation of the program.
Allocation of Additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 In-Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2011-17857
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-18
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of additional fiscal year (FY) 2011 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar. USTR is also reallocating a portion of the unused original FY 2011 TRQ.
Petition Under Section 302 on the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement; Decision Not To Initiate Investigation
Document Number: 2011-17808
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
On May 24, 2011, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received a petition pursuant to section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act''), requesting that the United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') initiate an investigation under sections 301-309 of the Trade Act (``Section 301'') with respect to alleged conduct of the Government of Israel during the negotiation in the 1980s of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (U.S.-Israel FTA). In accordance with the advice of the interagency Section 301 Committee, the Trade Representative has determined not to initiate an investigation in response to the petition.
Petition Under Section 302 on Alleged Expropriations by the Dominican Republic; Decision Not To Initiate Investigation
Document Number: 2011-17807
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-07-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
On May 24, 2011, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received a petition under Section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act''), requesting that the United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') initiate an investigation under sections 301-309 of the Trade Act (``Section 301'') with respect to alleged expropriations without adequate compensation by the Government of the Dominican Republic, resulting in an alleged breach of the Dominican Republic's obligations under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), as well as being otherwise unreasonable and discriminatory. In accordance with the advice of the interagency Section 301 Committee, the Trade Representative has determined not to initiate a Section 301 investigation.
Termination of Action and Further Monitoring in Connection With the EC-Beef Hormones Dispute
Document Number: 2011-13282
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-05-27
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
In July 1999, pursuant to authority under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the Trade Act), and as authorized by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) imposed additional duties on certain products of member states of the European Union (EU) as a result of the EU's failure to comply with the recommendations and rulings of the DSB in the EC-Beef Hormones dispute. In January 2009, the Trade Representative announced a determination to modify the list of products subject to additional duties by removing some products from the list of products subject to additional duties, and by adding replacement products. The January modification had an initial effective date of March 23, 2009. The Trade Representative subsequently delayed the additional duties on the replacement products in order to promote negotiations with the EU. The removal of products was not delayed. As a result, as of March 23, 2009, the additional duties applied only to a reduced list of products, consisting of those products covered in the original 1999 list that had not been subject to replacement. On May 13, 2009, the United States and the EU announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the EC-Beef Hormones dispute. The MOU provides for the EU to make phased increases in market access by adopting a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for certain beef products, in return for the United States making phased reductions in the additional duties. Under the first phase of the MOU, in August 2009 the EU opened up a TRQ in the amount of 20,000 metric tons, and the Trade Representative terminated the additional duties on the replacement products. (Those additional duties had been announced in January 2009 but had never entered into force.) The Trade Representative's action left in place a reduced list of products subject to additional duties. The MOU provides for the possibility of the United States and the EU to enter into a second phase starting in August 2012, in which the EU would increase the TRQ to 45,000 metric tons, and the United States would lift the remaining additional duties. As a result of a decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Trade Representative has determined to terminate the remaining additional duties in advance of the August 2012 start date of the possible second phase of the MOU. The United States continues to have an authorization from the WTO DSB, and the right under the MOU, to suspend concessions on EU products. At this time, however, the MOU is operating successfully by providing increased market access to U.S. beef producers. In light of the currently successful implementation of the MOU, the fact that all additional duties would have to be removed in August 2012 under a possible second phase of the MOU, and to encourage continued cooperation under the MOU, the Trade Representative has determined not to take steps at this time to exercise U.S. rights to impose additional duties on EU products in connection with the EC-Beef Hormones dispute. The Trade Representative will continue to monitor EU implementation of the MOU and other developments affecting market access for U.S. beef products. If EU implementation and other developments do not proceed as contemplated, the Trade Representative will consider additional actions under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
Petition Under Section 302 on Access to the German Bar Aptitude Examination; Decision Not To Initiate Investigation
Document Number: 2011-10874
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-05-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) has determined not to initiate an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act), with respect to a petition alleging, among other things, that the Government of Germany has breached obligations under the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation Between the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany (the FCN Treaty) to afford U.S. citizens national treatment and most-favored-nation (MFN) status in connection with requirements for access to the German bar aptitude examination.
Notice With Respect to List of Countries Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Government-Funded Airport Construction Projects
Document Number: 2011-10473
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-04-29
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Pursuant to section 533 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended (49 U.S.C. 50104), the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined not to list any countries as denying fair market opportunities for U.S. products, suppliers, or bidders in foreign government-funded airport construction projects.
Fiscal Year 2011 Allocation of Additional Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar and Reallocation of Unused Fiscal Year 2011 Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2011-9163
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-04-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar and of country-by-country reallocations of the FY 2011 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for imported raw cane sugar.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp From China
Document Number: 2011-7501
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-03-31
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on February 28, 2011, the People's Republic of China requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning antidumping measures regarding certain frozen warmwater shrimp from China. That request may be found at http:/ /www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS422/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Certain Measures Affecting Electronic Payment Services
Document Number: 2011-5121
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-03-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on February 11, 2011, the United States requested establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') with the People's Republic of China (``China'') concerning certain restrictions and requirements maintained by China affecting electronic payment services for payment card transactions and the suppliers of those services. That request may be found at https:// www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS413/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties on Grain Oriented Flat-rolled Electrical Steel From the United States
Document Number: 2011-5082
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-03-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on February 11, 2011, the United States requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') with the People's Republic of China (``China'') concerning countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Grain Oriented Flat-rolled Electrical Steel (``GOES'') from the United States. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org, in a document designated as WT/DS414/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti Dumping Measures on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From Korea
Document Number: 2011-4663
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-03-02
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on January 31, 2011, the Republic of Korea requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning antidumping measures regarding corrosion- resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/ DS420/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Determinations Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
Document Number: 2011-2757
Type: Notice
Date: 2011-02-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined that the Republic of Liberia has adopted an effective visa system and related procedures to prevent unlawful transshipment and the use of counterfeit documents in connection with shipment of textile and apparel articles and has implemented and follows, or making substantial progress toward implementing and following, the customs procedures required by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Therefore, imports of eligible products from the Republic of Liberia qualify for the textile and apparel benefits provided under the AGOA.
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