Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to Canada's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement, 43131-43133 [2012-17932]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Numbers 59002 and 59008)
Roger B Garland,
Acting Associate Administrator for Disaster
Assistance.
[FR Doc. 2012–17808 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 7959]
Designation of the Center for
Innovation and Technology
Cooperation (CITC), Pentane
Chemistry Industries (PCI), and
Hossein Tanideh Pursuant to
Executive Order 13382
Department of State.
Designation of the Center for
Innovation and Technology Cooperation
(CITC), Pentane Chemistry Industries
(PCI), and Hossein Tanideh Pursuant to
E.O. 13382.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Pursuant to the authority in
section 1(ii) of Executive Order 13382,
‘‘Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass
Destruction Proliferators and Their
Supporters,’’ the State Department, in
consultation with the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Attorney General, has
determined that the Center for
Innovation and Technology Cooperation
(CITC), Pentane Chemistry Industries
(PCI), and Hossein Tanideh, have
engaged, or attempted to engage, in
activities or transactions that have
materially contributed to, or pose a risk
of materially contributing to, the
proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction or their means of delivery
(including missiles capable of delivering
such weapons), including any efforts to
manufacture, acquire, possess, develop,
transport, transfer, or use such items, by
any person or foreign country of
proliferation concern.
DATES: The designation by the Acting
Under Secretary of State for Arms
Control and International Security of the
entity identified in this notice pursuant
to Executive Order 13382 is effective on
July 12, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Director, Office of Counterproliferation
Initiatives, Bureau of International
Security and Nonproliferation,
Department of State, Washington, DC
20520, tel.: 202–647–5193.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
Background
On June 28, 2005, the President,
invoking the authority, inter alia, of the
International Emergency Economic
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701–1706)
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:21 Jul 20, 2012
Jkt 226001
(‘‘IEEPA’’), issued Executive Order
13382 (70 FR 38567, July 1, 2005) (the
‘‘Order’’), effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern
daylight time on June 30, 2005. In the
Order the President took additional
steps with respect to the national
emergency described and declared in
Executive Order 12938 of November 14,
1994, regarding the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction and the
means of delivering them.
Section 1 of the Order blocks, with
certain exceptions, all property and
interests in property that are in the
United States, or that hereafter come
within the United States or that are or
hereafter come within the possession or
control of United States persons, of: (1)
The persons listed in the Annex to the
Order; (2) any foreign person
determined by the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Attorney General, and
other relevant agencies, to have
engaged, or attempted to engage, in
activities or transactions that have
materially contributed to, or pose a risk
of materially contributing to, the
proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction or their means of delivery
(including missiles capable of delivering
such weapons), including any efforts to
manufacture, acquire, possess, develop,
transport, transfer or use such items, by
any person or foreign country of
proliferation concern; (3) any person
determined by the Secretary of the
Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of State, the Attorney General,
and other relevant agencies, to have
provided, or attempted to provide,
financial, material, technological or
other support for, or goods or services
in support of, any activity or transaction
described in clause (2) above or any
person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to the
Order; and (4) any person determined
by the Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of State,
the Attorney General, and other relevant
agencies, to be owned or controlled by,
or acting or purporting to act for or on
behalf of, directly or indirectly, any
person whose property and interests in
property are blocked pursuant to the
Order.
Information on the additional
designee is as follows:
Center for Innovation and Technology
Cooperation, A.K.A. CITC, A.K.A.
Technology Cooperation Office, A.K.A.
TCO, A.K.A. Office of Scientific and
Technical Cooperation, F.K.A. Presidency
Office of Scientific and Industrial Studies
(POSIS), F.K.A. Office of Scientific and
Industrial Studies (OSIS). Location:
Tehran, Iran.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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43131
Pentane Chemistry Industries, A.K.A. PCI,
A.K.A. Pentane Chemistry Industries
Company. Location: 5th Floor, No. 192,
Darya and Paknejad Blv. Cross Section,
Shahrak Gharb, Tehran, Iran.
Hossein Tanideh, D.O.B. 9 June 1964,
passport number H13781445; expiration:
9 June 2013.
Dated: July 9, 2012.
Rose Gottemoeller,
Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and
International Security, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012–17911 Filed 7–20–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–27–P
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments on Negotiating
Objectives With Respect to Canada’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
Canada’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 Canada as
part of the ongoing negotiations of a TPP
trade agreement. Including Canada 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 Canada’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 24, 2012. Written
comments are due by noon,
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 Mary T. Smith,
Director for Canada, at (202) 395–3412.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
1. Background
On November 14, 2011, Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated
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43132
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
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Canada’s intention to begin
consultations with the TPP countries
regarding Canada’s participation in the
negotiations. On December 7, 2011,
USTR published a notice in the Federal
Register (76 FR 76480), seeking public
comments on Canada’s possible
participation in the TPP negotiations.
On July 10, 2012, following
consultations with relevant
Congressional committees and after
having reached consensus on Canada’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 Canada 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 Canada 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
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 Canada’s
participation in the TPP negotiations on
September 24, 2012. In addition, USTR
has requested the ITC to provide advice
to USTR on the probable economic
effects of including Canada in a TPP
agreement.
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its
negotiating objectives for the agreement,
the Chair of the Trade Policy Staff
Committee (TPSC) invites interested
persons to submit written comments
and/or oral testimony at a public
hearing on matters relevant to Canada’s
participation in the TPP negotiations.
Members of the public who submitted
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19:21 Jul 20, 2012
Jkt 226001
comments in response to the earlier
request (76 FR 76480) 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 Canada,
any concession that should be sought by
the United States, or any other matter
relevant to the inclusion of Canada 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 Canada 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 Canada.
(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 recommended staging and
ways to address export priorities and
import sensitivities related to Canada in
the context of this regional agreement.
(d) Adequacy of existing customs
measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries,
including Canada, 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 Canada that
should be addressed in the negotiations.
(f) Existing barriers to trade in
services between the United States and
Canada 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.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(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 TPSC Chair
invites comments regarding how
Canada’s participation in the
negotiations might affect these new
approaches. The TPSC Chair also invites
comments on the impact of Canada’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 Canada’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 Canada’s
participation in the negotiations.
A hearing will be held on September
24, 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 24, 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
E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 141 / Monday, July 23, 2012 / Notices
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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
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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
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 141 (Monday, July 23, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43131-43133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17932]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to
Canada'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
Canada'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 Canada
as part of the ongoing negotiations of a TPP trade agreement. Including
Canada 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 Canada'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 24, 2012. Written comments are due by noon,
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 Mary T.
Smith, Director for Canada, at (202) 395-3412.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
On November 14, 2011, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated
[[Page 43132]]
Canada's intention to begin consultations with the TPP countries
regarding Canada's participation in the negotiations. On December 7,
2011, USTR published a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 76480),
seeking public comments on Canada's possible participation in the TPP
negotiations.
On July 10, 2012, following consultations with relevant
Congressional committees and after having reached consensus on Canada'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 Canada 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
Canada 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 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
Canada's participation in the TPP negotiations on September 24, 2012.
In addition, USTR has requested the ITC to provide advice to USTR on
the probable economic effects of including Canada in a TPP agreement.
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its negotiating objectives for the
agreement, the Chair of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) invites
interested persons to submit written comments and/or oral testimony at
a public hearing on matters relevant to Canada's participation in the
TPP negotiations. Members of the public who submitted comments in
response to the earlier request (76 FR 76480) 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 Canada, any concession that should be sought by the United
States, or any other matter relevant to the inclusion of Canada 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 Canada
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 Canada.
(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 recommended staging
and ways to address export priorities and import sensitivities related
to Canada in the context of this regional agreement.
(d) Adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries, including Canada, 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 Canada that should be addressed in the
negotiations.
(f) Existing barriers to trade in services between the United
States and Canada 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 TPSC
Chair invites comments regarding how Canada's participation in the
negotiations might affect these new approaches. The TPSC Chair also
invites comments on the impact of Canada'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 Canada'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 Canada's participation in the
negotiations.
A hearing will be held on September 24, 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 24, 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
[[Page 43133]]
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 Trans-Pacific 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 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
