Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular Exclusions Granted Under the September 2019 Product Exclusion Notice From the $16 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China's Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation, 38237-38243 [2020-13708]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 123 / Thursday, June 25, 2020 / Notices
Pursuant to Section 2(c) of E.O.
13894, the Secretary of State selected
the following sanctions to be imposed
upon Ali Abdullah Ayoub:
• Prohibit any United States financial
institution that is a U.S. person from
making loans or providing credits to Ali
Abdullah Ayoub totaling more than
$10,000,000 in any 12-month period,
unless Ali Abdullah Ayoub is engaged
in activities to relieve human suffering
and the loans or credits are provided for
such activities (Section 2(c)(i) of E.O.
13894)
• prohibit any transactions in foreign
exchange that are subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States and in
which Ali Abdullah Ayoub has any
interest (Section 2(c)(ii) of E.O. 13894);
• prohibit any transfers of credit or
payments between banking institutions
or by, through, or to any banking
institution, to the extent that such
transfers or payments are subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States and
involve any interest of Ali Abdullah
Ayoub (Section 2(c)(iii) of E.O. 13894);
• block all property and interests in
property that are in the United States,
that hereafter come within the United
States, or that are or hereafter come
within the possession or control of any
United States person of Ali Abdullah
Ayoub, and provide that such property
and interests in property may not be
transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn,
or otherwise dealt in (Section 2(c)(iv) of
E.O. 13894);
• prohibit any United States person
from investing in or purchasing
significant amounts of equity or debt
instruments of Ali Abdullah Ayoub
(Section 2(c)(v) of E.O. 13894);
• restrict or prohibit imports of goods,
technology, or services, directly or
indirectly, into the United States from
Ali Abdullah Ayoub (Section 2(c)(vi) of
E.O. 13894).
Taylor V. Ruggles,
Director, Office of Economic Sanctions Policy
and Implementation, Bureau of Economic
and Business Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2020–13722 Filed 6–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–07–P
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
[Docket No. AB 303 (Sub-No. 55X)]
Wisconsin Central Ltd.—
Discontinuance of Service
Exemption—in Manitowoc County,
Wis.
Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) has
filed a verified notice of exemption
under 49 CFR part 1152 subpart F—
Exempt Abandonments and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:15 Jun 24, 2020
Jkt 250001
Discontinuances of Service to
discontinue service over approximately
five miles of rail line between milepost
74.00 at Manitowoc and milepost 69.00
at Newton, all of which is in Manitowoc
County, Wis. (the Line). The Line
traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes
54220 and 53063.
WCL has certified that: (1) No local
traffic has moved over the Line for at
least two years; (2) overhead traffic (to
the extent any exists) can be rerouted
over other lines; (3) no formal complaint
filed by a user of rail service on the Line
(or a state or local government entity
acting on behalf of such user) regarding
cessation of service over the Line either
is pending with the Surface
Transportation Board (Board) or any
U.S. District Court or has been decided
in favor of a complainant within the
two-year period; and (4) the
requirements at 49 CFR 1105.12
(newspaper publication) and 49 CFR
1152.50(d)(1) (notice to governmental
agencies) have been met.
As a condition to this exemption, any
employee adversely affected by the
discontinuance of service shall be
protected under Oregon Short Line
Railroad—Abandonment Portion
Goshen Branch Between Firth &
Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville
Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979). To
address whether this condition
adequately protects affected employees,
a petition for partial revocation under
49 U.S.C. 10502(d) must be filed.
Provided no formal expression of
intent to file an offer of financial
assistance (OFA) 1 to subsidize
continued rail service has been
received, this exemption will be
effective on July 25, 2020, unless stayed
pending reconsideration. Petitions to
stay that do not involve environmental
issues must be filed by July 2, 2020, and
formal expressions of intent to file an
OFA to subsidize continued rail service
under 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2) 2 must be
filed by July 6, 2020.3 Petitions for
reconsideration must be filed by July 15,
2020, with the Surface Transportation
Board, 395 E Street SW, Washington, DC
20423–0001.
1 Persons interested in submitting an OFA to
subsidize continued rail service must first file a
formal expression of intent to file an offer,
indicating the intent to file an OFA for subsidy and
demonstrating that they are preliminarily
financially responsible. See 49 CFR 1152.27(c)(2)(i).
2 The filing fee for OFAs can be found at 49 CFR
1002.2(f)(25).
3 Because this is a discontinuance proceeding and
not an abandonment, interim trail use/rail banking
and public use conditions are not appropriate.
Because there will be an environmental review
during abandonment, this discontinuance does not
require environmental review.
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38237
A copy of any petition filed with
Board should be sent to WCL’s
representative, Bradon J. Smith, Fletcher
& Sippel LLC, 29 N Wacker Drive, Suite
800, Chicago, IL 60606.
If the verified notice contains false or
misleading information, the exemption
is void ab initio.
Board decisions and notices are
available at www.stb.gov.
Decided: June 22, 2020.
By the Board, Allison C. Davis, Director,
Office of Proceedings.
Kenyatta Clay,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2020–13687 Filed 6–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket Number USTR–2020–0025]
Request for Comments Concerning the
Extension of Particular Exclusions
Granted Under the September 2019
Product Exclusion Notice From the $16
Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301:
China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices
Related to Technology Transfer,
Intellectual Property, and Innovation
Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
Effective August 23, 2018, the
U.S. Trade Representative imposed
additional duties on goods of China
with an annual trade value of
approximately $16 billion as part of the
action in the Section 301 investigation
of China’s acts, policies, and practices
related to technology transfer,
intellectual property, and innovation.
The U.S. Trade Representative initiated
the exclusion process in September
2018 and granted multiple sets of
exclusions. The second set of exclusions
was granted in September 2019, and are
scheduled to expire on September 20,
2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has
decided to consider a possible extension
for up to 12 months of particular
exclusions granted in September 2019.
The Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative (USTR) invites public
comment on whether to extend
particular exclusions.
DATES:
July 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET: The
public docket on the web portal at
https://comments.USTR.gov will open
for parties to submit comments on the
possible extension of particular
exclusions.
SUMMARY:
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38238
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 123 / Thursday, June 25, 2020 / Notices
July 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET: To be
assured of consideration, submit written
comments on the public docket by this
deadline.
You must submit all
comments through the online portal:
https://comments.USTR.gov.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Associate General Counsel Philip Butler
or Assistant General Counsel Benjamin
Allen at (202) 395–5725.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
A. Background
For background on the proceedings in
this investigation, please see prior
notices including 82 FR 40213 (August
23, 2017), 83 FR 14906 (April 6, 2018),
83 FR 28710 (June 20, 2018), 83 FR
33608 (July 17, 2018), 83 FR 38760
(August 7, 2018), 83 FR 40823 (August
16, 2018), 83 FR 47236 (September 18,
2018), 83 FR 47974 (September 21,
2018), 83 FR 65198 (December 19,
2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 5, 2019), 84
FR 20459 (May 9, 2019), 84 FR 29576
(June 24, 2019), 84 FR 37381 (July 31,
2019), 84 FR 49600 (September 20,
2019), 84 FR 52553 (October 2, 2019), 84
FR 69011 (December 17, 2019), 85 FR
10808 (February 25, 2020), and 85 FR
28691 (May 13, 2020).
Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S.
Trade Representative imposed
additional 25 percent duties on goods of
China classified in 279 eight-digit
subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS),
with an approximate annual trade value
of $16 billion. See 83 FR 40823. The
U.S. Trade Representative’s
determination included a decision to
establish a process by which U.S.
stakeholders could request exclusion of
particular products classified within an
eight-digit HTSUS subheading covered
by the $16 billion action from the
additional duties. The U.S. Trade
Representative issued a notice setting
out the process for the product
exclusions, and opened a public docket.
See 83 FR 47236 (September 18 notice).
The September 18 notice required
submission of requests for exclusion
from the $16 billion action no later than
December 18, 2018, and noted that the
U.S. Trade Representative periodically
would announce decisions. The U.S.
Trade Representative has granted
multiple sets of exclusions. The second
set of exclusions was granted in
September 2019, and are scheduled to
expire on September 20, 2020. See 84
FR 49600 (September 20, 2019) (the
September 2019 notice).
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19:15 Jun 24, 2020
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B. Possible Extensions of Particular
Product Exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has
decided to consider a possible extension
for up to 12 months of particular
exclusions granted in the September
2019 notice. Accordingly, USTR invites
public comments on whether to extend
particular exclusions granted in the
September 2019 notice. For exclusions
amended or corrected by a later issued
notice of product exclusions, parties
should provide their extension
comments on the docket corresponding
to the initial notice of product
exclusions.
USTR will evaluate the possible
extension of each exclusion on a caseby-case basis. The focus of the
evaluation will be whether, despite the
first imposition of these additional
duties in August 2018, the particular
product remains available only from
China. In addressing this factor,
commenters should address specifically:
• Whether the particular product
and/or a comparable product is
available from sources in the United
States and/or in third countries.
• Any changes in the global supply
chain since August 2018 with respect to
the particular product or any other
relevant industry developments.
• The efforts, if any, the importers or
U.S. purchasers have undertaken since
August 2018 to source the product from
the United States or third countries.
In addition, USTR will continue to
consider whether the imposition of
additional duties on the products
covered by the exclusion will result in
severe economic harm to the commenter
or other U.S. interests.
C. Procedures To Comment on the
Extension of Particular Exclusions
To submit a comment regarding the
extension of a particular exclusion
granted in the September 2019 notice,
commenters must first register on the
portal at https://comments.USTR.gov.
As noted above, the public docket on
the portal will be open from July 1,
2020, to July 30, 2020. After registration,
the commenter may submit an exclusion
extension comment form to the public
docket.
Fields on the comment form marked
with an asterisk (*) are required fields.
Fields with a gray (BCI) notation are for
Business Confidential Information and
the information entered will not be
publicly available. Fields with a green
(Public) notation will be publicly
available. Additionally, parties will be
able to upload documents and indicate
whether the documents are BCI or
public. Commenters will be able to
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review the public version of their
comments before they are posted.
In order to facilitate the preparation of
comments prior to the July 1 opening of
the public docket, a facsimile of the
exclusion extension comment form
parties will use on the portal is annexed
to this notice. Please note that the colorcoding of public fields and BCI fields is
not visible on the attached facsimile, but
will be apparent on the actual comment
form used on the portal.
Set out below is a summary of the
information to be entered on the
exclusion extension comment form.
• Contact information, including the
full legal name of the organization
making the comment, whether the
commenter is a third party (e.g., law
firm, trade association, or customs
broker) submitting on behalf of an
organization or industry, and the name
of the third party organization, if
applicable.
• The number for the exclusion on
which you are commenting as provided
in the Annex of the Federal Register
notice granting the exclusion and the
description. For descriptions amended
or corrected by a later issued notice of
product exclusions, parties should use
the amended or corrected description.
• Whether the product or products
covered by the exclusion are subject to
an antidumping or countervailing duty
order issued by the U.S. Department of
Commerce.
• Whether you support or oppose
extending the exclusion and an
explanation of your rationale.
Commenters must provide a public
version of their rationale, even if the
commenter also intends to submit a
more detailed business confidential
rationale.
• Whether the products covered by
the exclusion or comparable products
are available from sources in the U.S. or
in third countries. Please include
information concerning any changes in
the global supply chain since August
2018 with respect to the particular
product.
• The efforts you have undertaken
since August 2018 to source the product
from the United States or third
countries.
• The value and quantity of the
Chinese-origin product covered by the
specific exclusion request purchased in
2018 and 2019. Whether these
purchases are from a related company,
and if so, the name of and relationship
to the related company.
• Whether Chinese suppliers have
lowered their prices for products
covered by the exclusion following the
imposition of duties.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 123 / Thursday, June 25, 2020 / Notices
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• The value and quantity of the
product covered by the exclusion
purchased from domestic and third
country sources in 2018 and 2019.
• If applicable, the commenter’s gross
revenue for 2018 and 2019.
• Whether the Chinese-origin product
of concern is sold as a final product or
as an input.
• Whether the imposition of duties on
the products covered by the exclusion
will result in severe economic harm to
the commenter or other U.S. interests.
• Any additional information in
support of or in opposition to extending
the exclusion.
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19:15 Jun 24, 2020
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Commenters also may provide any
other information or data that they
consider relevant.
D. Submission Instructions
To be assured of consideration, you
must submit your comment between the
opening of the public docket on the
portal on July 1, 2020, and the July 30,
2020 submission deadline. Parties
seeking to comment on two or more
exclusions must submit a separate
comment for each exclusion.
By submitting a comment, the
commenter certifies that the information
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38239
provided is complete and correct to the
best of their knowledge.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the requirements
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
and its implementing regulations, the
Office of Management and Budget
assigned control number 0350–0015,
which expires January 31, 2023.
Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
BILLING CODE 3290–F0–P
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38242
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 123 / Thursday, June 25, 2020 / Notices
[FR Doc. 2020–13708 Filed 6–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290–F0–C
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket Number USTR–2020–0026]
Request for Comments Concerning the
Extension of Particular Exclusions
Granted Under the October 2019
Product Exclusion Notice From the $16
Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301:
China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices
Related to Technology Transfer,
Intellectual Property, and Innovation
Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
Effective August 23, 2018, the
U.S. Trade Representative imposed
additional duties on goods of China
with an annual trade value of
approximately $16 billion as part of the
action in the Section 301 investigation
of China’s acts, policies, and practices
related to technology transfer,
intellectual property, and innovation.
The U.S. Trade Representative initiated
the exclusion process in September
2018 and granted multiple sets of
exclusions. The third set of exclusions
was granted in October 2019, and are
scheduled to expire on October 2, 2020.
The U.S. Trade Representative has
decided to consider a possible extension
for up to 12 months of particular
exclusions granted in October 2019. The
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
(USTR) invites public comment on
whether to extend particular exclusions.
DATES: July 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET:
The public docket on the web portal at
https://comments.USTR.gov will open
for parties to submit comments on the
possible extension of particular
exclusions. July 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
ET: To be assured of consideration,
submit written comments on the public
docket by this deadline.
ADDRESSES: You must submit all
comments through the online portal:
https://comments.USTR.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Associate General Counsel Philip Butler
or Assistant General Counsel Benjamin
Allen at (202) 395–5725.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
A. Background
For background on the proceedings in
this investigation, please see prior
notices including 82 FR 40213 (August
23, 2017), 83 FR 14906 (April 6, 2018),
83 FR 28710 (June 20, 2018), 83 FR
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:15 Jun 24, 2020
Jkt 250001
33608 (July 17, 2018), 83 FR 38760
(August 7, 2018), 83 FR 40823 (August
16, 2018), 83 FR 47236 (September 18,
2018), 83 FR 47974 (September 21,
2018), 83 FR 65198 (December 19,
2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 5, 2019), 84
FR 20459 (May 9, 2019), 84 FR 29576
(June 24, 2019), 84 FR 37381 (July 31,
2019), 84 FR 49600 (September 20,
2019), 84 FR 52553 (October 2, 2019), 84
FR 69011 (December 17, 2019), 85 FR
10808 (February 25, 2020), and 85 FR
28691 (May 13, 2020).
Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S.
Trade Representative imposed
additional 25 percent duties on goods of
China classified in 279 eight-digit
subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS),
with an approximate annual trade value
of $16 billion. See 83 FR 40823. The
U.S. Trade Representative’s
determination included a decision to
establish a process by which U.S.
stakeholders could request exclusion of
particular products classified within an
eight-digit HTSUS subheading covered
by the $16 billion action from the
additional duties. The U.S. Trade
Representative issued a notice setting
out the process for the product
exclusions, and opened a public docket.
See 83 FR 47236 (September 18 notice).
The September 18 notice required
submission of requests for exclusion
from the $16 billion action no later than
December 18, 2018, and noted that the
U.S. Trade Representative periodically
would announce decisions. The U.S.
Trade Representative has granted
multiple sets of exclusions. The third
set of exclusions was granted in October
2019, and are scheduled to expire on
October 2, 2020. See 84 FR 52553
(October 2, 2019) (the October 2019
notice).
B. Possible Extensions of Particular
Product Exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has
decided to consider a possible extension
for up to 12 months of particular
exclusions granted in the October 2019
notice. Accordingly, USTR invites
public comments on whether to extend
particular exclusions granted in the
October 2019 notice. For exclusions
amended or corrected by a later issued
notice of product exclusions, parties
should provide their extension
comments on the docket corresponding
to the initial notice of product
exclusions.
USTR will evaluate the possible
extension of each exclusion on a caseby-case basis. The focus of the
evaluation will be whether, despite the
first imposition of these additional
duties in August 2018, the particular
PO 00000
Frm 00136
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
38243
product remains available only from
China. In addressing this factor,
commenters should address specifically:
• Whether the particular product
and/or a comparable product is
available from sources in the United
States and/or in third countries.
• Any changes in the global supply
chain since August 2018 with respect to
the particular product or any other
relevant industry developments.
• The efforts, if any, the importers or
U.S. purchasers have undertaken since
August 2018 to source the product from
the United States or third countries.
In addition, USTR will continue to
consider whether the imposition of
additional duties on the products
covered by the exclusion will result in
severe economic harm to the commenter
or other U.S. interests.
C. Procedures To Comment on the
Extension of Particular Exclusions
To submit a comment regarding the
extension of a particular exclusion
granted in the October 2019 notice,
commenters must first register on the
portal at https://comments.USTR.gov.
As noted above, the public docket on
the portal will be open from July 1,
2020, to July 30, 2020. After registration,
the commenter may submit an exclusion
extension comment form to the public
docket.
Fields on the comment form marked
with an asterisk (*) are required fields.
Fields with a gray (BCI) notation are for
Business Confidential Information and
the information entered will not be
publicly available. Fields with a green
(Public) notation will be publicly
available. Additionally, parties will be
able to upload documents and indicate
whether the documents are BCI or
public. Commenters will be able to
review the public version of their
comments before they are posted.
In order to facilitate the preparation of
comments prior to the July 1 opening of
the public docket, a facsimile of the
exclusion extension comment form
parties will use on the portal is annexed
to this notice. Please note that the colorcoding of public fields and BCI fields is
not visible on the attached facsimile, but
will be apparent on the actual comment
form used on the portal.
Set out below is a summary of the
information to be entered on the
exclusion extension comment form.
• Contact information, including the
full legal name of the organization
making the comment, whether the
commenter is a third party (e.g., law
firm, trade association, or customs
broker) submitting on behalf of an
organization or industry, and the name
E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM
25JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 123 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38237-38243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13708]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
[Docket Number USTR-2020-0025]
Request for Comments Concerning the Extension of Particular
Exclusions Granted Under the September 2019 Product Exclusion Notice
From the $16 Billion Action Pursuant to Section 301: China's Acts,
Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual
Property, and Innovation
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative
imposed additional duties on goods of China with an annual trade value
of approximately $16 billion as part of the action in the Section 301
investigation of China's acts, policies, and practices related to
technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. The U.S.
Trade Representative initiated the exclusion process in September 2018
and granted multiple sets of exclusions. The second set of exclusions
was granted in September 2019, and are scheduled to expire on September
20, 2020. The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a
possible extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted
in September 2019. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
invites public comment on whether to extend particular exclusions.
DATES:
July 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. ET: The public docket on the web portal
at https://comments.USTR.gov will open for parties to submit comments
on the possible extension of particular exclusions.
[[Page 38238]]
July 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET: To be assured of consideration,
submit written comments on the public docket by this deadline.
ADDRESSES: You must submit all comments through the online portal:
https://comments.USTR.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Associate General Counsel Philip
Butler or Assistant General Counsel Benjamin Allen at (202) 395-5725.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
For background on the proceedings in this investigation, please see
prior notices including 82 FR 40213 (August 23, 2017), 83 FR 14906
(April 6, 2018), 83 FR 28710 (June 20, 2018), 83 FR 33608 (July 17,
2018), 83 FR 38760 (August 7, 2018), 83 FR 40823 (August 16, 2018), 83
FR 47236 (September 18, 2018), 83 FR 47974 (September 21, 2018), 83 FR
65198 (December 19, 2018), 84 FR 7966 (March 5, 2019), 84 FR 20459 (May
9, 2019), 84 FR 29576 (June 24, 2019), 84 FR 37381 (July 31, 2019), 84
FR 49600 (September 20, 2019), 84 FR 52553 (October 2, 2019), 84 FR
69011 (December 17, 2019), 85 FR 10808 (February 25, 2020), and 85 FR
28691 (May 13, 2020).
Effective August 23, 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed
additional 25 percent duties on goods of China classified in 279 eight-
digit subheadings of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United
States (HTSUS), with an approximate annual trade value of $16 billion.
See 83 FR 40823. The U.S. Trade Representative's determination included
a decision to establish a process by which U.S. stakeholders could
request exclusion of particular products classified within an eight-
digit HTSUS subheading covered by the $16 billion action from the
additional duties. The U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice
setting out the process for the product exclusions, and opened a public
docket. See 83 FR 47236 (September 18 notice).
The September 18 notice required submission of requests for
exclusion from the $16 billion action no later than December 18, 2018,
and noted that the U.S. Trade Representative periodically would
announce decisions. The U.S. Trade Representative has granted multiple
sets of exclusions. The second set of exclusions was granted in
September 2019, and are scheduled to expire on September 20, 2020. See
84 FR 49600 (September 20, 2019) (the September 2019 notice).
B. Possible Extensions of Particular Product Exclusions
The U.S. Trade Representative has decided to consider a possible
extension for up to 12 months of particular exclusions granted in the
September 2019 notice. Accordingly, USTR invites public comments on
whether to extend particular exclusions granted in the September 2019
notice. For exclusions amended or corrected by a later issued notice of
product exclusions, parties should provide their extension comments on
the docket corresponding to the initial notice of product exclusions.
USTR will evaluate the possible extension of each exclusion on a
case-by-case basis. The focus of the evaluation will be whether,
despite the first imposition of these additional duties in August 2018,
the particular product remains available only from China. In addressing
this factor, commenters should address specifically:
Whether the particular product and/or a comparable product
is available from sources in the United States and/or in third
countries.
Any changes in the global supply chain since August 2018
with respect to the particular product or any other relevant industry
developments.
The efforts, if any, the importers or U.S. purchasers have
undertaken since August 2018 to source the product from the United
States or third countries.
In addition, USTR will continue to consider whether the imposition of
additional duties on the products covered by the exclusion will result
in severe economic harm to the commenter or other U.S. interests.
C. Procedures To Comment on the Extension of Particular Exclusions
To submit a comment regarding the extension of a particular
exclusion granted in the September 2019 notice, commenters must first
register on the portal at https://comments.USTR.gov. As noted above,
the public docket on the portal will be open from July 1, 2020, to July
30, 2020. After registration, the commenter may submit an exclusion
extension comment form to the public docket.
Fields on the comment form marked with an asterisk (*) are required
fields. Fields with a gray (BCI) notation are for Business Confidential
Information and the information entered will not be publicly available.
Fields with a green (Public) notation will be publicly available.
Additionally, parties will be able to upload documents and indicate
whether the documents are BCI or public. Commenters will be able to
review the public version of their comments before they are posted.
In order to facilitate the preparation of comments prior to the
July 1 opening of the public docket, a facsimile of the exclusion
extension comment form parties will use on the portal is annexed to
this notice. Please note that the color-coding of public fields and BCI
fields is not visible on the attached facsimile, but will be apparent
on the actual comment form used on the portal.
Set out below is a summary of the information to be entered on the
exclusion extension comment form.
Contact information, including the full legal name of the
organization making the comment, whether the commenter is a third party
(e.g., law firm, trade association, or customs broker) submitting on
behalf of an organization or industry, and the name of the third party
organization, if applicable.
The number for the exclusion on which you are commenting
as provided in the Annex of the Federal Register notice granting the
exclusion and the description. For descriptions amended or corrected by
a later issued notice of product exclusions, parties should use the
amended or corrected description.
Whether the product or products covered by the exclusion
are subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order issued by
the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Whether you support or oppose extending the exclusion and
an explanation of your rationale. Commenters must provide a public
version of their rationale, even if the commenter also intends to
submit a more detailed business confidential rationale.
Whether the products covered by the exclusion or
comparable products are available from sources in the U.S. or in third
countries. Please include information concerning any changes in the
global supply chain since August 2018 with respect to the particular
product.
The efforts you have undertaken since August 2018 to
source the product from the United States or third countries.
The value and quantity of the Chinese-origin product
covered by the specific exclusion request purchased in 2018 and 2019.
Whether these purchases are from a related company, and if so, the name
of and relationship to the related company.
Whether Chinese suppliers have lowered their prices for
products covered by the exclusion following the imposition of duties.
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The value and quantity of the product covered by the
exclusion purchased from domestic and third country sources in 2018 and
2019.
If applicable, the commenter's gross revenue for 2018 and
2019.
Whether the Chinese-origin product of concern is sold as a
final product or as an input.
Whether the imposition of duties on the products covered
by the exclusion will result in severe economic harm to the commenter
or other U.S. interests.
Any additional information in support of or in opposition
to extending the exclusion.
Commenters also may provide any other information or data that they
consider relevant.
D. Submission Instructions
To be assured of consideration, you must submit your comment
between the opening of the public docket on the portal on July 1, 2020,
and the July 30, 2020 submission deadline. Parties seeking to comment
on two or more exclusions must submit a separate comment for each
exclusion.
By submitting a comment, the commenter certifies that the
information provided is complete and correct to the best of their
knowledge.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Office of Management and
Budget assigned control number 0350-0015, which expires January 31,
2023.
Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
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[FR Doc. 2020-13708 Filed 6-24-20; 8:45 am]
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