Written Notice to the Government of Honduras of Intent To Apply a Textile Safeguard Measure on Imports from Honduras of Cotton Socks, 4542-4543 [08-290]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2008 / Notices
Dated: January 18, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–1311 Filed 1–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
COMMITTEE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE
AGREEMENTS
Request for Public Comment on Short
Supply Petition Under the North
American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA)
January 18, 2008.
Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements
(CITA).
ACTION: Request for Public Comments
concerning a request for modification of
the NAFTA rules of origin for warp pile
fabric made from solution dyed, wet
spun acrylic fiber.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On January 14, 2008, the
Chairman of CITA received a request
from Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC,
alleging that certain solution dyed, wet
spun acrylic fibers, not carded, combed
or otherwise processed for spinning,
classified under subheading 5503.30 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
United States (HTSUS), cannot be
supplied by the domestic industry in
commercial quantities in a timely
manner and requesting that CITA
consider whether the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of
origin for warp pile fabrics, classified
under HTSUS subheading 5801.35,
should be modified to allow the use of
non-North American solution dyed, wet
spun acrylic fiber. The President may
proclaim a modification to the NAFTA
rules of origin only after reaching an
agreement with the other NAFTA
countries on the modification. CITA
hereby solicits public comments on this
request, in particular with regard to
whether solution dyed, wet spun acrylic
fiber of HTSUS subheading 5503.30 can
be supplied by the domestic industry in
commercial quantities in a timely
manner. Comments must be submitted
by February 25, 2008 to the Chairman,
Committee for the Implementation of
Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United
States Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maria Dybczak, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce,
(202) 482–3651.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority:
Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of
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16:59 Jan 24, 2008
Jkt 214001
1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854);
Section 202(q) of the North American
Free Trade Agreement Implementation
Act (19 U.S.C. 3332(q)); Executive Order
11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended.
Background: Under the North
American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), NAFTA countries are
required to eliminate customs duties on
textile and apparel goods that qualify as
originating goods under the NAFTA
rules of origin, which are set out in
Annex 401 to the NAFTA. The NAFTA
provides that the rules of origin for
textile and apparel products may be
amended through a subsequent
agreement by the NAFTA countries. See
Section 202(q) of the NAFTA
Implementation Act. In consultations
regarding such a change, the NAFTA
countries are to consider issues of
availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or
fabrics in the free trade area and
whether domestic producers are capable
of supplying commercial quantities of
the good in a timely manner. The
Statement of Administrative Action
(SAA) that accompanied the NAFTA
Implementation Act stated that any
interested person may submit to CITA a
request for a modification to a particular
rule of origin based on a change in the
availability in North America of a
particular fiber, yarn or fabric and that
the requesting party would bear the
burden of demonstrating that a change
is warranted. NAFTA Implementation
Act, SAA, H. Doc. 103–159, Vol. 1, at
491 (1993). The SAA provides that CITA
may make a recommendation to the
President regarding a change to a rule of
origin for a textile or apparel good. SAA
at 491. The NAFTA Implementation Act
provides the President with the
authority to proclaim modifications to
the NAFTA rules of origin as are
necessary to implement an agreement
with one or more NAFTA country on
such a modification. See section 202(q)
of the NAFTA Implementation Act.
On January 14, 2008, the Chairman of
CITA received a request from Glen
Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, alleging
that certain acrylic fibers, not carded,
combed or otherwise processed for
spinning, classified under subheading
5503.30 of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS),
cannot be supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a
timely manner and requesting that CITA
consider whether the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of
origin for warp pile fabrics, classified
under HTSUS subheading 5801.35,
should be modified to allow the use of
non-North American acrylic fiber.
CITA is soliciting public comments
regarding this request, particularly with
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
respect to whether the solution dyed,
wet spun acrylic fiber described above
can be supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a
timely manner. Comments must be
received no later than February 25,
2008. Interested persons are invited to
submit six copies of such comments or
information to the Chairman, Committee
for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements, Room 3100, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20230.
If a comment alleges that these acrylic
staple fibers can be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial
quantities in a timely manner, CITA will
closely review any supporting
documentation, such as a signed
statement by a manufacturer stating that
it produces fiber that is the subject of
the request, including the quantities that
can be supplied and the time necessary
to fill an order, as well as any relevant
information regarding past production.
CITA will protect any business
confidential information that is marked
business confidential from disclosure to
the full extent permitted by law. CITA
will make available to the public nonconfidential versions of the request and
non-confidential versions of any public
comments received with respect to a
request in room 3001 in the Herbert
Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.
Persons submitting comments on a
request are encouraged to include a nonconfidential version and a nonconfidential summary.
R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation
of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. E8–1269 Filed 1–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
COMMITTEE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE
AGREEMENTS
Written Notice to the Government of
Honduras of Intent To Apply a Textile
Safeguard Measure on Imports from
Honduras of Cotton Socks
January 18, 2008.
The Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements
(‘‘the Committee’’).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Committee is submitting
written notice to the Government of
Honduras with respect to its intent to
apply a textile safeguard measure on
imports of Honduran origin cotton socks
(Category 332).
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25JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2008 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce,
(202) 482–3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority:
Title III, Subtitle B, Section 321 through
Section 328 of the Dominican RepublicCentral America-United States Free
Trade Agreement (‘‘CAFTA–DR’’ or the
‘‘Agreement’’) Implementation Act;
Article 3.23 of the Dominican RepublicCentral America-United States Free
Trade Agreement.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Notice
On January 18, 2007, as provided for
under Article 3.23 of the Dominican
Republic-Central America-United States
Free Trade Agreement, the United States
submitted written notice to the
Government of Honduras with respect
to its intent to apply a textile safeguard
measure on imports of Honduran origin
cotton socks (Category 332).
Background
On August 21, 2007, the Committee
initiated a safeguard proceeding to
determine whether imports of Honduran
cotton, wool, and man-made fiber socks
(merged Category 332/432 and 632 part)
are causing serious damage, or actual
threat thereof, to the U.S. industry
producing socks, (72 FR 46611, August
21, 2007). The initiation of the safeguard
proceeding launched a 30-day period
during which interested parties and
stakeholders submitted comments. In
accordance with section 4 of the
Committee’s Procedures for considering
action under the CAFTA–DR textile and
apparel safeguard, (71 FR 25157, April
28, 2006), the Committee has
determined that it intends to apply a
textile safeguard measure with respect
to imports of Honduran origin cotton
socks (Category 332). This
determination is based on the comments
received and information available to
the Committee that demonstrates that
safeguard measures are warranted with
respect to Honduran origin cotton socks
falling within Category 332, which
represent approximately 99% of the
imports subject to this safeguard
inquiry. The Committee notes that it is
not at this time making a determination
to apply a safeguard measure with
respect to wool and man-made fiber
socks (Categories 432 and 632 Part,
respectively), that were part of this
original safeguards inquiry.
Article 3.23(4) of the Agreement
provides that, following receipt of
written notice by an importing Party of
intent to apply a safeguard measure, the
exporting Party may request
consultations. Article 3.23(4) further
provides that, upon receipt of a request
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16:59 Jan 24, 2008
Jkt 214001
for consultations, the United States and
the Government of Honduras shall begin
consultations without delay and shall be
completed within 60 days of the date of
the request for consultations. The
United States shall make a decision on
whether to apply a safeguard measure
within 30 days of completion of the
consultations.
If the United States decides in the
affirmative, the United States would
increase the duty on all Honduran
origin cotton socks within Category 332
(including those knit in the United
States) to a level that does not exceed
the lesser of: (a) The prevailing U.S.
normal trade relations (NTR)/mostfavored-nation (MFN) duty rate for the
article at the time the measure is
applied; or (b) the U.S. NTR/MFN
applied duty rate in effect on the date
of entry into force of the CAFTA–DR,
currently 13.5% for most socks
imported from Honduras. The
Committee is further considering the
appropriate safeguard tariff rate that
would be applied to imported cotton
socks from Honduras.
Article 3.23 of the Agreement
provides that, no Party may maintain a
textile safeguard measure for a period
exceeding three years. In this case, the
Committee has further determined that,
if at the conclusion of the consultation
period, the United States decides in the
affirmative, the United States would
apply a safeguard measure on imports of
Honduran origin cotton socks (Category
332) until December 31, 2008, to
coincide with the expiring limits on
cotton sock imports from China.
In the event that safeguard measures
are applied by the United States, the
United States would have to provide
mutually agreed and substantially
equivalent compensation in textile and
apparel products to Honduras. If the
United States and Honduras are unable
to agree on compensation within 30
days of the application of a textile
safeguard measure, Honduras may take
tariff action of a substantially equivalent
trade effect.
R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation
of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 08–290 Filed 1–18–08; 4:53 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
1155 21st St., NW., Washington,
DC, 9th Floor Commission Conference
Room.
PLACE:
Closed.
STATUS:
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Enforcement Matters.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sauntia S. Warfield, 202–418–5084.
David A. Stawick,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 08–326 Filed 1–22–08; 4:21 pm]
BILLING CODE 6351–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed
Forces Code Committee Meeting
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Department of Defense.
Notice of public meeting.
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
forthcoming public meeting of the Code
Committee established by Article 146(a),
Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10
U.S.C. 946(a), to be held at the
Courthouse of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Armed Forces, 450 E.
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20441–
0001, at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4,
2008. The agenda for this meeting will
include consideration of proposed
changes to the Uniform Code of Military
Justice and the Manual for CourtsMartial, United States, and other matters
relating to the operation of the Uniform
Code of Military Justice throughout the
Armed Forces.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William A. DeCicco, Clerk of Court,
United States Court of Appeals for the
Armed Forces, 450 E Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20442–0001, telephone
(202) 761–1448.
Dated: January 17, 2008.
C.R. Choate,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 08–291 Filed 1–24–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING
COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meetings
10:30 a.m., Thursday,
January 24, 2008.
TIME AND DATE:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 17 (Friday, January 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4542-4543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-290]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Written Notice to the Government of Honduras of Intent To Apply a
Textile Safeguard Measure on Imports from Honduras of Cotton Socks
January 18, 2008.
AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
(``the Committee'').
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Committee is submitting written notice to the Government
of Honduras with respect to its intent to apply a textile safeguard
measure on imports of Honduran origin cotton socks (Category 332).
[[Page 4543]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sergio Botero, Office of Textiles and
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: Title III, Subtitle B, Section
321 through Section 328 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-
United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'' or the ``Agreement'')
Implementation Act; Article 3.23 of the Dominican Republic-Central
America-United States Free Trade Agreement.
Notice
On January 18, 2007, as provided for under Article 3.23 of the
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement,
the United States submitted written notice to the Government of
Honduras with respect to its intent to apply a textile safeguard
measure on imports of Honduran origin cotton socks (Category 332).
Background
On August 21, 2007, the Committee initiated a safeguard proceeding
to determine whether imports of Honduran cotton, wool, and man-made
fiber socks (merged Category 332/432 and 632 part) are causing serious
damage, or actual threat thereof, to the U.S. industry producing socks,
(72 FR 46611, August 21, 2007). The initiation of the safeguard
proceeding launched a 30-day period during which interested parties and
stakeholders submitted comments. In accordance with section 4 of the
Committee's Procedures for considering action under the CAFTA-DR
textile and apparel safeguard, (71 FR 25157, April 28, 2006), the
Committee has determined that it intends to apply a textile safeguard
measure with respect to imports of Honduran origin cotton socks
(Category 332). This determination is based on the comments received
and information available to the Committee that demonstrates that
safeguard measures are warranted with respect to Honduran origin cotton
socks falling within Category 332, which represent approximately 99% of
the imports subject to this safeguard inquiry. The Committee notes that
it is not at this time making a determination to apply a safeguard
measure with respect to wool and man-made fiber socks (Categories 432
and 632 Part, respectively), that were part of this original safeguards
inquiry.
Article 3.23(4) of the Agreement provides that, following receipt
of written notice by an importing Party of intent to apply a safeguard
measure, the exporting Party may request consultations. Article 3.23(4)
further provides that, upon receipt of a request for consultations, the
United States and the Government of Honduras shall begin consultations
without delay and shall be completed within 60 days of the date of the
request for consultations. The United States shall make a decision on
whether to apply a safeguard measure within 30 days of completion of
the consultations.
If the United States decides in the affirmative, the United States
would increase the duty on all Honduran origin cotton socks within
Category 332 (including those knit in the United States) to a level
that does not exceed the lesser of: (a) The prevailing U.S. normal
trade relations (NTR)/most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rate for the
article at the time the measure is applied; or (b) the U.S. NTR/MFN
applied duty rate in effect on the date of entry into force of the
CAFTA-DR, currently 13.5% for most socks imported from Honduras. The
Committee is further considering the appropriate safeguard tariff rate
that would be applied to imported cotton socks from Honduras.
Article 3.23 of the Agreement provides that, no Party may maintain
a textile safeguard measure for a period exceeding three years. In this
case, the Committee has further determined that, if at the conclusion
of the consultation period, the United States decides in the
affirmative, the United States would apply a safeguard measure on
imports of Honduran origin cotton socks (Category 332) until December
31, 2008, to coincide with the expiring limits on cotton sock imports
from China.
In the event that safeguard measures are applied by the United
States, the United States would have to provide mutually agreed and
substantially equivalent compensation in textile and apparel products
to Honduras. If the United States and Honduras are unable to agree on
compensation within 30 days of the application of a textile safeguard
measure, Honduras may take tariff action of a substantially equivalent
trade effect.
R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 08-290 Filed 1-18-08; 4:53 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
