Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to Japan's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement, 26682-26684 [2013-10724]
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26682
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2013 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
[Public Notice 8313]
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as
Amended by Public Law 104–13;
Proposed Collection, Comment
Request
Culturally Significant Objects Imported
for Exhibition Determinations: ‘‘Hall of
Ancient Egypt’’
AGENCY:
Department of State.
ACTION: Notice, correction.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Proposed Collection; comment
request.
On April 4, 2013, notice was
published on page 20372 of the Federal
Register (volume 78, number 65) of
determinations made by the Department
of State pertaining to the exhibition
‘‘Hall of Ancient Egypt.’’ The referenced
notice is corrected here to include
additional objects as part of the
exhibition. Notice is hereby given of the
following determinations: Pursuant to
the authority vested in me by the Act of
October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C.
2459), Executive Order 12047 of March
27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and
Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat.
2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et
seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of
October 1, 1999, and Delegation of
Authority No. 236–3 of August 28, 2000
(and, as appropriate, Delegation of
Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003), I
hereby determine that the additional
objects to be included in the exhibition
‘‘Hall of Ancient Egypt,’’ imported from
abroad for temporary exhibition within
the United States, are of cultural
significance. The additional objects are
imported pursuant to a loan agreement
with the foreign owner or custodian. I
also determine that the exhibition or
display of the additional exhibit objects
at the Houston Museum of Natural
Science, Houston, Texas, from on or
about May 20, 2013, until on or about
May 31, 2016, and at possible additional
exhibitions or venues yet to be
determined, is in the national interest.
I have ordered that Public Notice of
these Determinations be published in
the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information, including a list of
the additional exhibit objects, contact
Paul W. Manning, Attorney-Adviser,
Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S.
Department of State (telephone: 202–
632–6469). The mailing address is U.S.
Department of State, SA–5, L/PD, Fifth
Floor (Suite 5H03), Washington, DC
20522–0505.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Type of Request: Regular submission.
Title of Information Collection:
Employment Application.
Frequency of Use: On Occasion.
Type of Affected Public: Individuals.
Small Businesses or Organizations
Affected: No.
Federal Budget Functional Category
Code: 999.
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 3,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 3,000.
Estimated Average Burden Hours per
Response: 1.0.
Need For and Use of Information:
Applications for employment are
needed to collect information on
qualifications, suitability for
employment, and eligibility for
veteran’s preference. The information is
used to make comparative appraisals
and to assist in selections. The affected
public consists of individuals who
apply for TVA employment.
[FR Doc. 2013–10802 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2013–10773 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
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Jkt 229001
Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR).
ACTION: Request for comments and
notice of a public hearing.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The United States intends to
commence negotiations with Japan as
part of the ongoing negotiations of a
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade
agreement. Including Japan in the
negotiations furthers the objective of
achieving a high-standard, broad-based
Asia-Pacific regional agreement. In
order to develop U.S. negotiating
positions, the Office of the United States
Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking
comments from the public on all issues
related to Japan’s participation in the
TPP negotiations. USTR also seeks
comments on negotiations to address
certain non-tariff measures of Japan that
will be conducted bilaterally in parallel
to the TPP negotiations and addressed
by the conclusion of the TPP
negotiations.
Michael T. Tallent,
Director, Enterprise Information Security &
Policy.
15:24 May 06, 2013
Request for Comments on Negotiating
Objectives With Respect to Japan’s
Participation in the Proposed TransPacific Partnership Trade Agreement
SUMMARY: The proposed information
collection described below will be
submitted to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for review, as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as
amended). The Tennessee Valley
Authority is soliciting public comments
on this proposed collection as provided
by 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1). Requests for
information, including copies of the
information collection proposed and
supporting documentation, should be
directed to the Agency Clearance
Officer: Mark Winter, Tennessee Valley
Authority, 1101 Market Street (MP–3C),
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402–2801;
(423) 751–6004. Comments should be
sent to the Agency Clearance Officer no
later than July 8, 2013.
Dated: April 29. 2013.
J. Adam Ereli,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Department of State.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
PO 00000
Frm 00072
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Written comments are due by
11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013. Persons
wishing to testify orally at the hearing
must provide written notification of
their intention, as well as a summary of
their testimony, by 11:59 p.m., June 9,
2013. The hearing will be held on July
2 beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Main
Hearing Room of the United States
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
ADDRESSES: Comments from the public
should be submitted electronically at
www.regulations.gov. If you are unable
to provide submissions at
www.regulations.gov, please contact
Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Staff
Committee (TPSC), at (202) 395–3475, to
arrange for an alternative method of
transmission.
For
procedural questions concerning written
comments, please contact Yvonne
Jamison at the above number. All other
questions regarding this notice should
be directed to Jordan Heiber, Director
for Japan Affairs, at (202) 395–5070.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Background
In November 2011, Japan formally
expressed its intention to seek
consultations with the TPP countries
regarding Japan’s possible participation
in the TPP negotiations. On December 7,
E:\FR\FM\07MYN1.SGM
07MYN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2013 / Notices
2011, USTR published a notice in the
Federal Register (76 FR 76478), seeking
public comments on Japan’s possible
participation in the TPP negotiations.
On April 24, 2013, following
Congressional consultations and after
having reached consensus on Japan’s
participation with the other TPP
negotiating partners, (Australia, Brunei
Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore,
and Vietnam), the U.S. Trade
Representative notified Congress that
the President intends to commence
negotiations with Japan 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 Japan
to the group of TPP negotiating partners
will contribute meaningfully to the
achievement of these goals.
USTR is observing the relevant
procedures of the Bipartisan Trade
Promotion Authority Act of 2002 (19
U.S.C. 3804) with respect to notifying
and consulting with Congress regarding
the TPP negotiations. These procedures
include providing Congress with 90
days advance written notice of the
President’s intent to enter into
negotiations and consultation with
appropriate Congressional interests
regarding the negotiations.
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 effect 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 specific issues pertaining to
Japan’s participation in the TPP
negotiations and with respect to the
bilateral negotiations to address certain
non-tariff measures of Japan on July 2,
2013. In addition, USTR has requested
that the ITC provide advice to USTR on
the probable economic effects of
including Japan in a TPP trade
agreement.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:24 May 06, 2013
Jkt 229001
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its
negotiating objectives, 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 Japan’s participation in the TPP
negotiations and with respect to the
bilateral negotiations to address certain
non-tariff measures (for details on
specific non-tariff measures to be
discussed in the bilateral parallel
negotiations, please refer to the ‘‘Motor
Vehicles Terms of Reference,’’ which
can be found at https://go.usa.gov/T5gQ,
and the ‘‘Non-Tariff Measures: U.S.
Consultations with Japan’’ fact sheet,
which can be found at https://go.usa.gov/
T5gB). Members of the public who
submitted comments in response to the
earlier request (76 FR 76478) 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 Japan, any
concession that should be sought by the
United States, or any other matter
relevant to the inclusion of Japan in the
proposed TPP agreement or the parallel
bilateral negotiations on non-tariff
measures. The TPSC Chair invites
comments on all of these matters and,
in particular, seeks comments regarding:
(a) General and product-specific
negotiating objectives for Japan in the
context of the TPP negotiations;
(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 Japan;
(c) treatment of specific goods
(described by HTSUS numbers) under
the proposed TPP 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 Japan in
the context of the TPP agreement;
(d) adequacy of existing customs
measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries,
including Japan, receive preferential
treatment, and appropriate rules of
origin for goods entering the United
States under the proposed TPP
agreement;
PO 00000
Frm 00073
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
26683
(e) existing sanitary and phytosanitary
measures and technical barriers to trade
imposed by Japan that should be
addressed in the TPP negotiations;
(f) existing barriers to trade in services
between the United States and Japan
that should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(g) relevant electronic commerce and
cross-border data flow issues that
should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(h) relevant investment issues that
should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(i) relevant competition-related
matters that should be addressed in the
TPP negotiations;
(j) relevant government procurement
issues, including coverage of any
government agencies or state-owned
enterprises engaged in procurements of
interest, that should be addressed in the
TPP negotiations;
(k) relevant environmental issues that
should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(l) relevant labor issues that should be
addressed in the TPP negotiations;
(m) relevant trade-related intellectual
property rights issues that should be
addressed in the TPP 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 Japan’s
participation in the TPP negotiations
might affect these new approaches. The
TPSC Chair also invites comments on
the impact of Japan’s participation in
the TPP negotiations on other traderelated priorities in the TPP agreement,
including environmental protection and
conservation, transparency, workers’
rights and protections, development,
and other issues.
USTR has already provided a 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 Japan’s participation
in the negotiation. Further comments
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26684
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 88 / Tuesday, May 7, 2013 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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 Japan’s
participation in the negotiations.
A hearing will be held beginning at
9:30 a.m. on July 2, 2013 in the Main
Hearing Room of the United States
International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW., Washington, DC 20436.
Persons wishing to testify at the hearing
must provide written notification of
their intention by 11:59 p.m., June 9.
The intent to testify notification must be
made in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field
under docket number USTR–2013–0022
on the regulations.gov Web site and
should include the name, address and
telephone number of the person
presenting the testimony. A summary of
the testimony should be attached by
using the ‘‘Upload File’’ field. The name
of the file should also include who will
be presenting the testimony. Remarks at
the hearing should be limited to no
more than five minutes to allow for
possible questions from the TPSC.
3. Requirements for Submissions
Persons submitting comments must
do so in English and must identify (on
the first page of the submission)
‘‘Participation of Japan in the TransPacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.’’
In order to be assured of consideration,
comments should be submitted by 11:59
p.m., June 9, 2013. In order to ensure
the timely receipt and consideration of
comments, USTR strongly encourages
commenters to make on-line
submissions, using the
www.regulations.gov Web site. To
submit comments via
www.regulations.gov, enter docket
number USTR–2013–0022 on the 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 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 ‘‘How to Use
This Site’’ on the left side of the home
page).
The www.regulations.gov Web site
allows users to provide comments by
filling in a ‘‘Type Comment’’ field, or by
attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload
File’’ field. USTR prefers that comments
be provided in an attached document. If
a document is attached, it is sufficient
to type ‘‘See attached’’ in the ‘‘Type
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:24 May 06, 2013
Jkt 229001
Comment’’ field. USTR 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 Comment’’
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 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.
As noted, USTR strongly urges
submitters to file comments through
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible.
Any alternative arrangements must be
made with Ms. Jamison in advance of
transmitting a comment. Ms. Jamison
should be contacted at (202) 395–3475.
General information concerning USTR
is available at www.ustr.gov.
Comments will be placed in the
docket and open to public inspection,
except business confidential
information. Comments may be viewed
on the http:www.regulations.gov Web
site by entering the relevant docket
number in the search field on the home
page.
Laurie-Ann Agama,
Acting Chairman, Trade Policy Staff
Committee.
[FR Doc. 2013–10724 Filed 5–6–13; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Funding Availability for the
Small Business Transportation
Resource Center Program
Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU), Office of the Secretary of
Transportation (OST), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability
for the Southeast Region.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of
Transportation (DOT), Office of the
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity
for; (1) business centered communitybased organizations; (2) transportationrelated trade associations; (3) colleges
and universities; (4) community colleges
or; (5) chambers of commerce, registered
with the Internal Revenue Service as
501 C (6) or 501 C (3) tax-exempt
organizations, to compete for
participation in OSDBU’s Small
Business Transportation Resource
Center (SBTRC) program in the
Southeast Region.
OSDBU will enter into Cooperative
Agreements with these organizations to
provide outreach to the small business
community in their designated region
and provide financial and technical
assistance, business training programs,
business assessment, management
training, counseling, marketing and
outreach, and the dissemination of
information, to encourage and assist
small businesses to become better
prepared to compete for, obtain, and
manage DOT funded transportationrelated contracts and subcontracts at the
federal, state and local levels.
Throughout this notice, the term ‘‘small
business’’ will refer to: 8(a), small
disadvantaged businesses (SDB),
disadvantaged business enterprises
(DBE), women owned small businesses
(WOSB), HubZone, service disabled
veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and
veteran owned small businesses
(VOSB). Throughout this notice,
‘‘transportation-related’’ is defined as
the maintenance, rehabilitation,
restructuring, improvement, or
revitalization of any of the nation’s
modes of transportation.
Funding Opportunity Number:
USDOT–OST–OSDBU–
SBTRC2013SER–4.
Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910
Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged
Businesses.
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26682-26684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10724]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to
Japan's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade
Agreement
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
ACTION: Request for comments and notice of a public hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States intends to commence negotiations with Japan
as part of the ongoing negotiations of a Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) trade agreement. Including Japan in the negotiations furthers the
objective of achieving a high-standard, broad-based Asia-Pacific
regional agreement. In order to develop U.S. negotiating positions, the
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is seeking
comments from the public on all issues related to Japan's participation
in the TPP negotiations. USTR also seeks comments on negotiations to
address certain non-tariff measures of Japan that will be conducted
bilaterally in parallel to the TPP negotiations and addressed by the
conclusion of the TPP negotiations.
DATES: Written comments are due by 11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013. Persons
wishing to testify orally at the hearing must provide written
notification of their intention, as well as a summary of their
testimony, by 11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013. The hearing will be held on
July 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Main Hearing Room of the United
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC
20436.
ADDRESSES: Comments from the public should be submitted electronically
at www.regulations.gov. If you are unable to provide submissions at
www.regulations.gov, please contact Yvonne Jamison, Trade Policy Staff
Committee (TPSC), at (202) 395-3475, to arrange for an alternative
method of transmission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions concerning
written comments, please contact Yvonne Jamison at the above number.
All other questions regarding this notice should be directed to Jordan
Heiber, Director for Japan Affairs, at (202) 395-5070.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background
In November 2011, Japan formally expressed its intention to seek
consultations with the TPP countries regarding Japan's possible
participation in the TPP negotiations. On December 7,
[[Page 26683]]
2011, USTR published a notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 76478),
seeking public comments on Japan's possible participation in the TPP
negotiations.
On April 24, 2013, following Congressional consultations and after
having reached consensus on Japan's participation with the other TPP
negotiating partners, (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile,
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam), the U.S.
Trade Representative notified Congress that the President intends to
commence negotiations with Japan 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 Japan to the
group of TPP negotiating partners will contribute meaningfully to the
achievement of these goals.
USTR is observing the relevant procedures of the Bipartisan Trade
Promotion Authority Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804) with respect to
notifying and consulting with Congress regarding the TPP negotiations.
These procedures include providing Congress with 90 days advance
written notice of the President's intent to enter into negotiations and
consultation with appropriate Congressional interests regarding the
negotiations.
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 effect 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 specific issues pertaining
to Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations and with respect to
the bilateral negotiations to address certain non-tariff measures of
Japan on July 2, 2013. In addition, USTR has requested that the ITC
provide advice to USTR on the probable economic effects of including
Japan in a TPP trade agreement.
2. Public Comments
To assist USTR as it develops its negotiating objectives, 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 Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations and
with respect to the bilateral negotiations to address certain non-
tariff measures (for details on specific non-tariff measures to be
discussed in the bilateral parallel negotiations, please refer to the
``Motor Vehicles Terms of Reference,'' which can be found at https://go.usa.gov/T5gQ, and the ``Non-Tariff Measures: U.S. Consultations with
Japan'' fact sheet, which can be found at https://go.usa.gov/T5gB).
Members of the public who submitted comments in response to the earlier
request (76 FR 76478) 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 Japan, any concession that should
be sought by the United States, or any other matter relevant to the
inclusion of Japan in the proposed TPP agreement or the parallel
bilateral negotiations on non-tariff measures. The TPSC Chair invites
comments on all of these matters and, in particular, seeks comments
regarding:
(a) General and product-specific negotiating objectives for Japan
in the context of the TPP negotiations;
(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 Japan;
(c) treatment of specific goods (described by HTSUS numbers) under
the proposed TPP 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 Japan in the context of the TPP agreement;
(d) adequacy of existing customs measures to ensure that qualifying
imported goods from TPP countries, including Japan, receive
preferential treatment, and appropriate rules of origin for goods
entering the United States under the proposed TPP agreement;
(e) existing sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical
barriers to trade imposed by Japan that should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(f) existing barriers to trade in services between the United
States and Japan that should be addressed in the TPP negotiations;
(g) relevant electronic commerce and cross-border data flow issues
that should be addressed in the TPP negotiations;
(h) relevant investment issues that should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(i) relevant competition-related matters that should be addressed
in the TPP negotiations;
(j) relevant government procurement issues, including coverage of
any government agencies or state-owned enterprises engaged in
procurements of interest, that should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(k) relevant environmental issues that should be addressed in the
TPP negotiations;
(l) relevant labor issues that should be addressed in the TPP
negotiations;
(m) relevant trade-related intellectual property rights issues that
should be addressed in the TPP 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 Japan's participation in the TPP
negotiations might affect these new approaches. The TPSC Chair also
invites comments on the impact of Japan's participation in the TPP
negotiations on other trade-related priorities in the TPP agreement,
including environmental protection and conservation, transparency,
workers' rights and protections, development, and other issues.
USTR has already provided a 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 Japan's
participation in the negotiation. Further comments
[[Page 26684]]
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
Japan's participation in the negotiations.
A hearing will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 2, 2013 in
the Main Hearing Room of the United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Persons wishing to
testify at the hearing must provide written notification of their
intention by 11:59 p.m., June 9. The intent to testify notification
must be made in the ``Type Comment'' field under docket number USTR-
2013-0022 on the regulations.gov Web site and should include the name,
address and telephone number of the person presenting the testimony. A
summary of the testimony should be attached by using the ``Upload
File'' field. The name of the file should also include who will be
presenting the testimony. Remarks at the hearing should be limited to
no more than five minutes to allow for possible questions from the
TPSC.
3. Requirements for Submissions
Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must identify
(on the first page of the submission) ``Participation of Japan in the
Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Negotiations.'' In order to be assured
of consideration, comments should be submitted by 11:59 p.m., June 9,
2013. In order to ensure the timely receipt and consideration of
comments, USTR strongly encourages commenters to make on-line
submissions, using the www.regulations.gov Web site. To submit comments
via www.regulations.gov, enter docket number USTR-2013-0022 on the 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 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 ``How to
Use This Site'' on the left side of the home page).
The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments
by filling in a ``Type Comment'' field, or by attaching a document
using an ``Upload File'' field. USTR prefers that comments be provided
in an attached document. If a document is attached, it is sufficient to
type ``See attached'' in the ``Type Comment'' field. USTR 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 Comment'' 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 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.
As noted, USTR strongly urges submitters to file comments through
www.regulations.gov, if at all possible. Any alternative arrangements
must be made with Ms. Jamison in advance of transmitting a comment. Ms.
Jamison should be contacted at (202) 395-3475. General information
concerning USTR is available at www.ustr.gov.
Comments will be placed in the docket and open to public
inspection, except business confidential information. Comments may be
viewed on the http:www.regulations.gov Web site by entering the
relevant docket number in the search field on the home page.
Laurie-Ann Agama,
Acting Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 2013-10724 Filed 5-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F3-P