Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China's Compliance With WTO Commitments, 50206-50207 [2012-20430]

Download as PDF 50206 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 161 / Monday, August 20, 2012 / Notices Dated: August 3, 2012. Patrick F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State for Management. [FR Doc. 2012–20419 Filed 8–17–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–35–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China’s Compliance With WTO Commitments Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for comments and notice of public hearing concerning China’s compliance with its WTO commitments. AGENCY: 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). DATES: Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention, as well as a copy of their testimony, by noon, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Written comments are due by noon, Monday, September 24, 2012. A hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. ADDRESSES: Notifications of intent to testify and written comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact Donald W. Eiss, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395– 3475. SUMMARY: For procedural questions concerning written comments or participation in the public hearing, contact Donald W. Eiss, (202) 395–3475. All other questions should be directed to Terrence J. McCartin, Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for China Enforcement, (202) 395–3900, or Katherine C. Tai, Chief Counsel for China Enforcement, (202) 395–3150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Background China became a Member of the WTO on December 11, 2001. In accordance with section 421 of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106–286), USTR is required to submit, by December 11 of each year, a report to VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:25 Aug 17, 2012 Jkt 226001 Congress on China’s compliance with commitments made in connection with its accession to the WTO, including both multilateral commitments and any bilateral commitments made to the United States. In accordance with section 421, and to assist it in preparing this year’s report, the TPSC is hereby soliciting public comment. Last year’s report is available on USTR’s Internet Web site (https://www.ustr.gov/ webfm_send/3189). The terms of China’s accession to the WTO are contained in the Protocol on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China (including its annexes) (Protocol), the Report of the Working Party on the Accession of China (Working Party Report), and the WTO agreements. The Protocol and Working Party Report can be found on the Department of Commerce Web page, https://www.mac.doc.gov/China/ WTOAccessionPackage.htm, or on the WTO Web site, https:// docsonline.wto.org (document symbols: WT/L/432, WT/MIN(01)/3, WT/ MIN(01)/3/Add.1, WT/MIN(01)/3/ Add.2). 2. Public Comment and Hearing USTR invites written comments and/ or oral testimony of interested persons on China’s compliance with commitments made in connection with its accession to the WTO, including, but not limited to, commitments in the following areas: (a) Trading rights; (b) import regulation (e.g., tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, quotas, import licenses); (c) export regulation; (d) internal policies affecting trade (e.g., subsidies, standards and technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, government procurement, trade-related investment measures, taxes and charges levied on imports and exports); (e) intellectual property rights (including intellectual property rights enforcement); (f) services; (g) rule of law issues (e.g., transparency, judicial review, uniform administration of laws and regulations) and status of legal reform; and (h) other WTO commitments. In addition, given the United States’ view that China should be held accountable as a full participant in, and beneficiary of, the international trading system, USTR requests that interested persons specifically identify unresolved compliance issues that warrant review and evaluation by USTR’s China Enforcement Task Force. Written comments must be received no later than noon, Monday, September 24, 2012. A hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in Room 1, 1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508. If PO 00000 Frm 00129 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 necessary, the hearing will continue on the next business day. Persons wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide written notification of their intention by noon, Wednesday, September 19, 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 commitments at issue and, as applicable, the product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other subjects 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. All documents should be submitted in accordance with the instructions in section 3 below. 3. Requirements for Submissions Persons submitting a notification of intent to testify and/or written comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first page of the submission) ‘‘China’s WTO Compliance.’’ In order to ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and consideration of comments, USTR has arranged to accept on-line submissions via https:// www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via https:// www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR–2012–0020 on the home page and click ‘‘Comment Now!’’. (For further information on using the www.regulations.gov <https:// www.regulations.gov/> Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to Use This Site’’ on the left side of the home page.) The https://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of making submissions by filling in a ‘‘type comment’’ field, or by attaching a document using the ‘‘upload file(s) field. We prefer submissions to be provided in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to type ‘‘See attached’’ in the ‘‘type comment’’ field. Submit any documents containing business confidential information with a file name beginning with the characters ‘‘BC’’. Submit, as a separate submission, a public version of the submission with a file name beginning with the character ‘‘P’’. The ‘‘BC’’ and ‘‘P’’ should be followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. Electronic submissions should not attach separate cover letters; rather, information that might appear in a cover E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 161 / Monday, August 20, 2012 / Notices letter should be included in the comments you submit. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments to a submission in the same file as the submission itself and not as separate files. We strongly urge submitters to use electronic filing. If an on-line submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with Mr. Eiss prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Mr. Eiss may be contacted at (202) 395–3475. General information concerning USTR may be obtained by accessing its Internet Web site (https://www.ustr.gov). Douglas M. Bell, Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee. [FR Doc. 2012–20430 Filed 8–17–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290–F2–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Twenty-Second Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 203, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Meeting notice of RTCA Special Committee 203, Unmanned Aircraft Systems. AGENCY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twentysecond meeting of RTCA Special Committee 203, Unmanned Aircraft Systems. DATES: The meeting will be held September 11–13, 2012, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at NASA Ames Conference Center, 500 Severyns Road, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, (650) 604–2082, email: hmoses@rtca.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The RTCA Secretariat, 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036, or by telephone at (202) 833–9339, fax at (202) 833–9434, or Web site at https://www. rtca.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 5 U.S.C., App.), notice is hereby given for a meeting of Special Committee 203. The agenda will include the following: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 • Introductory Remarks and Introductions VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:25 Aug 17, 2012 Jkt 226001 • Approval of Twenty First Plenary Summary • Chair/Leadership Updates • Designated Federal Official (DFO) Update • Schedule Status • Workgroup Updates • Other Business • Date, Place, and Time for Plenary Twenty-Three • Plenary Adjourns 50207 actions grant licenses, permits and approval for the project. DATES: By this notice, the FHWA is advising the public of final agency actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking judicial review of the Federal agency actions on the highway project will be barred unless the claim is filed on or before February 16, 2013. If the Federal law that authorizes judicial review of a claim provides a time period of less than 180 days for Work Group Breakout Sessions Will Follow: Tuesday Afternoon—September filing such claim, then that shorter time period still applies. 11th Through Thursday Noon— FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: September 13th Michelle Eraut, Program Development Note: • Foreign nationals must give Team Leader, Federal Highway 20 business days notice to Alan Hobbs Administration, 530 Center Street NE., at alan.hobbs@nasa.gov or phone: 650– Suite 420, Salem, Oregon 97301, 604–1336 to attend. Telephone: (503) 316–2559; Dominic • More information on meeting Yballe, US Army Corps of Engineers, location with maps, nearby hotels, and P.O. Box 2946, Portland, Oregon 97208– restaurants can be found at https:// 2946, Telephone: (503) 808–4392; Kevin naccenter.arc.nasa.gov/index.php. Maurice, Wildlife Biologist, USFWS • Dress Business Casual. Oregon State Office, 2600 SE. 98th Ave., Attendance is open to the interested Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266, public but limited to space availability. Telephone: (503) 231–6179; Marc With the approval of the chairman, Liverman, Branch Chief, National members of the public may present oral Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE statements at the meeting. Persons Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100, Portland, wishing to present statements or obtain Oregon 97232; Telephone: (503) 231– information should contact the person 2336. listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION The I–5: Glendale-Hugo Paving/ CONTACT section. Members of the public Sexton Climbing Lane categorical may present a written statement to the exclusion and other project records are committee at any time. available upon written request from the Federal Highway Administration at the Issued in Washington, DC, on August 10, address shown above. Comments or 2012. questions concerning this proposed David Sicard, action and the I–5: Glendale-Hugo Manager, Business Operations Branch, Paving/Sexton Climbing Lane Federal Aviation Administration. categorical exclusion should be directed [FR Doc. 2012–20258 Filed 8–17–12; 8:45 am] to the FHWA at the address provided BILLING CODE 4910–13–P above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION hereby given that the FHWA, USACE, USF&WS and NMFS have taken final Federal Highway Administration agency action subject to 23 U.S.C. 139 (l)(1) by issuing licenses, permits and Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions approval for the following highway on Project: I–5: Glendale-Hugo Paving/ project in the State of Oregon: I–5: Sexton Climbing Lane: Douglas and Glendale-Hugo Paving/Sexton Climbing Josephine Counties, OR Lane. The project will repave between mile points 66.3 and 81.5 on Interstate AGENCY: Federal Highway 5. This will also include replacing Administration (FHWA), DOT. substandard and damaged guardrail, ACTION: Notice of Limitations on Claims and also replacing substandard median for Judicial Review of Actions by FHWA, NMFS, USF&WS, and the Army barrier. The project will also construct a third lane, a climbing lane, on the Corps of Engineers (USACE). northbound side of Sexton Mountain SUMMARY: This notice announces actions pass between mile points 66.7 and 69.6 to accommodate trucks climbing the taken by the FHWA, USACE, and other pass. The actions by the Federal Federal agencies that are final within agencies and the laws under which such the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions were taken are described in actions relate to a proposed highway categorical exclusion issued on August project, I–5: Glendale-Hugo Paving/ 14, 2012, and in other documents in the Sexton Climbing Lane, in Douglas and FHWA project records. The categorical Josephine Counties, Oregon. Those PO 00000 Frm 00130 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20AUN1.SGM 20AUN1

Agencies

Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 161 (Monday, August 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50206-50207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20430]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning 
China's Compliance With WTO Commitments

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments and notice of public hearing concerning 
China's compliance with its WTO commitments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: 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).

DATES: Persons wishing to testify at the hearing must provide written 
notification of their intention, as well as a copy of their testimony, 
by noon, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. Written comments are due by 
noon, Monday, September 24, 2012. A hearing will be held in Washington, 
DC, on Wednesday, October 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Notifications of intent to testify and written comments 
should be submitted electronically via the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please 
contact Donald W. Eiss, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at (202) 395-
3475.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning 
written comments or participation in the public hearing, contact Donald 
W. Eiss, (202) 395-3475. All other questions should be directed to 
Terrence J. McCartin, Deputy Assistant United States Trade 
Representative for China Enforcement, (202) 395-3900, or Katherine C. 
Tai, Chief Counsel for China Enforcement, (202) 395-3150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    China became a Member of the WTO on December 11, 2001. In 
accordance with section 421 of the U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000 
(Pub. L. 106-286), USTR is required to submit, by December 11 of each 
year, a report to Congress on China's compliance with commitments made 
in connection with its accession to the WTO, including both 
multilateral commitments and any bilateral commitments made to the 
United States. In accordance with section 421, and to assist it in 
preparing this year's report, the TPSC is hereby soliciting public 
comment. Last year's report is available on USTR's Internet Web site 
(https://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/3189).
    The terms of China's accession to the WTO are contained in the 
Protocol on the Accession of the People's Republic of China (including 
its annexes) (Protocol), the Report of the Working Party on the 
Accession of China (Working Party Report), and the WTO agreements. The 
Protocol and Working Party Report can be found on the Department of 
Commerce Web page, https://www.mac.doc.gov/China/WTOAccessionPackage.htm, or on the WTO Web site, https://docsonline.wto.org (document symbols: WT/L/432, WT/MIN(01)/3, WT/
MIN(01)/3/Add.1, WT/MIN(01)/3/Add.2).

2. Public Comment and Hearing

    USTR invites written comments and/or oral testimony of interested 
persons on China's compliance with commitments made in connection with 
its accession to the WTO, including, but not limited to, commitments in 
the following areas: (a) Trading rights; (b) import regulation (e.g., 
tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, quotas, import licenses); (c) export 
regulation; (d) internal policies affecting trade (e.g., subsidies, 
standards and technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures, government procurement, trade-related investment measures, 
taxes and charges levied on imports and exports); (e) intellectual 
property rights (including intellectual property rights enforcement); 
(f) services; (g) rule of law issues (e.g., transparency, judicial 
review, uniform administration of laws and regulations) and status of 
legal reform; and (h) other WTO commitments. In addition, given the 
United States' view that China should be held accountable as a full 
participant in, and beneficiary of, the international trading system, 
USTR requests that interested persons specifically identify unresolved 
compliance issues that warrant review and evaluation by USTR's China 
Enforcement Task Force.
    Written comments must be received no later than noon, Monday, 
September 24, 2012.
    A hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, in Room 1, 
1724 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20508. If necessary, the hearing will 
continue on the next business day. Persons wishing to testify orally at 
the hearing must provide written notification of their intention by 
noon, Wednesday, September 19, 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 commitments at issue and, as applicable, 
the product(s) (with HTSUS numbers), service sector(s), or other 
subjects 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.
    All documents should be submitted in accordance with the 
instructions in section 3 below.

3. Requirements for Submissions

    Persons submitting a notification of intent to testify and/or 
written comments must do so in English and must identify (on the first 
page of the submission) ``China's WTO Compliance.''
    In order to ensure the most timely and expeditious receipt and 
consideration of comments, USTR has arranged to accept on-line 
submissions via https://www.regulations.gov. To submit comments via 
https://www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2012-0020 on the 
home page and click ``Comment Now!''. (For further information on using 
the www.regulations.gov <https://www.regulations.gov/ Web 
site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking 
on ``How to Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page.)
    The https://www.regulations.gov Web site provides the option of 
making submissions by filling in a ``type comment'' field, or by 
attaching a document using the ``upload file(s) field. We prefer 
submissions to be provided in an attached document. If a document is 
attached, it is sufficient to type ``See attached'' in the ``type 
comment'' field.
    Submit any documents containing business confidential information 
with a file name beginning with the characters ``BC''. Submit, as a 
separate submission, a public version of the submission with a file 
name beginning with the character ``P''. The ``BC'' and ``P'' should be 
followed by the name of the person or entity submitting the comments. 
Electronic submissions should not attach separate cover letters; 
rather, information that might appear in a cover

[[Page 50207]]

letter should be included in the comments you submit. Similarly, to the 
extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other 
attachments to a submission in the same file as the submission itself 
and not as separate files.
    We strongly urge submitters to use electronic filing. If an on-line 
submission is impossible, alternative arrangements must be made with 
Mr. Eiss prior to delivery for the receipt of such submissions. Mr. 
Eiss may be contacted at (202) 395-3475.
    General information concerning USTR may be obtained by accessing 
its Internet Web site (https://www.ustr.gov).

Douglas M. Bell,
Chair, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2012-20430 Filed 8-17-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F2-P

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