Trade Representative, Office of United States 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

2011 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing
Document Number: 2010-32916
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act.). The USTR is required to determine which, if any, of these countries should be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country's identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301-305 of the Trade Act. In addition, USTR has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch List'' to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons relying on intellectual property. Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas. USTR chairs an interagency team that reviews information from many sources, and that consults with and makes recommendations to the USTR on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 301 review process. In 2011, USTR through the Special 301 Committee will conduct a public hearing as part of the review process. USTR is hereby requesting written submissions from the public concerning foreign countries' acts, policies, or practices that are relevant to the decision on whether a particular trading partner should be identified as a priority foreign country under Section 182 of the Trade Act or placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Interested parties, including foreign governments, who want to testify at the public hearing must submit a request to testify at the hearing and a short hearing statement. The deadlines for these procedures are set out below. DATES: The schedule for the 2011 Special 301 review is set forth below.
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: Request for Comments From the Public
Document Number: 2010-31763
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has concluded negotiations on a proposed agreement to strengthen international cooperation, enforcement practices and legal frameworks for addressing counterfeiting and piracy. USTR is requesting written comments from the public on the final text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in connection with consideration of U.S. signature of the agreement. The deadline for submission of written comments is, 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 15, 2011.
Determination of Trade Surplus in Certain Sugar and Syrup Goods and Sugar Containing Products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru
Document Number: 2010-31055
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-12-10
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
In accordance with relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of its determination of the trade surplus in certain sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products of Chile, Morocco, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. As described below, the level of a country's trade surplus in these goods relates to the quantity of sugar and syrup goods and sugar-containing products for which the United States grants preferential tariff treatment under (i) the United StatesChile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA), in the case of Chile; (ii) the United StatesMorocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA), in the case of Morocco; (iii) the Dominican RepublicCentral AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), in the case of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and (iv) the United StatesPeru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA), in the case of Peru.
Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements
Document Number: 2010-29112
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-11-18
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (`Section 1377'), the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is reviewing and requests comments on the operation, effectiveness, and implementation of and compliance with the following agreements regarding telecommunications products and services of the United States: the World Trade Organization (``WTO'') General Agreement on Trade in Services; the North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA''); U.S. free trade agreements (``FTAs'') with Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Morocco, Oman, Peru, and Singapore; and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''). The USTR will conclude the review by March 31, 2011.
2010 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Reviews of the Philippines and Thailand: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment
Document Number: 2010-28435
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-11-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act.) The USTR is required to determine which, if any, of these countries should be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. In addition, USTR has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch List'' under Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement, or market access for persons relying on intellectual property. Countries placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas. In the 2010 Special 301 Report (https://www.ustr.gov), USTR announced that, in order to monitor progress on specific IPR issues, Out-of-Cycle Reviews would be conducted for the Philippines and Thailand. USTR requests written submissions from the public concerning any act, policy, or practice that is relevant to the decision regarding whether the Philippines and Thailand should be identified under Section 182 of the Trade Act.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the 2010 Annual Product Review: Acceptance of Product Petitions
Document Number: 2010-27093
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received petitions in connection with the 2010 GSP Annual Review to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program (``2010 GSP Annual Product Review''). This notice announces the petitions accepted for review and sets the date of the public hearing and schedule for submitting comments on the petitions, requests to participate in the public hearing, pre-hearing and post- hearing briefs, and comments on the U.S. International Trade Commission's (USITC) report on probable economic effects. The petitions accepted for review are listed below. More information on these petitions can be found at: https://www.ustr.gov/node/6058 and at https:// www.regulations.gov, Docket Number USTR-2010-0017.
Initiation of Section 302 Investigation and Request for Public Comment: China-Acts, Policies and Practices Affecting Trade and Investment in Green Technology
Document Number: 2010-26401
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-20
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') has initiated an investigation under section 302(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act''), with respect to acts, policies, and practices of the People's Republic of China (China) affecting trade and investment in green technology. The Trade Representative has initiated the investigation in response to a petition filed on September 9, 2010, and the investigation will cover the acts, policies, and practices identified in the petition. The investigation will consider whether these acts, policies, and practices deny U.S. rights or benefits under the GATT 1994, under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (``SCM Agreement''), and under China's Protocol of Accession to the WTO. USTR invites written comments from the public on the matters covered in the investigation.
Request for Comments on Negotiating Objectives With Respect to Malaysia's Participation in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2010-26332
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-20
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The United States intends to commence negotiations with Malaysia as part of the ongoing negotiations of a TPP trade agreement. Including Malaysia in the TPP negotiations furthers the objective of achieving a high-standard, broad-based Asia-Pacific regional agreement. USTR is seeking public comments on all elements related to Malaysia's participation in the TPP negotiations in order to develop U.S. negotiating positions.
North American Free Trade Agreement; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on the Chapter 19 Roster
Document Number: 2010-26302
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-19
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Chapter 19 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA'') provides for the establishment of a roster of individuals to serve on binational panels convened to review final determinations in antidumping or countervailing duty (``AD/CVD'') proceedings and amendments to AD/CVD statutes of a NAFTA Party. The United States annually renews its selections for the Chapter 19 roster. Applications are invited from eligible individuals wishing to be included on the roster for the period April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Final Antidumping Measures on Stainless Steel from Mexico
Document Number: 2010-25638
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that pursuant to a request by Mexico under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''), the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization (``WTO'') has referred a matter concerning the dispute United StatesFinal Antidumping Measures on Stainless Steel from Mexico to a panel. The request may be found at https://www.wto.org in document WT/DS344/20. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Request for Public Comments on Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
Document Number: 2010-24781
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-10-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The African Growth and Opportunity Act Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (the ``Subcommittee'') is requesting written public comments for the annual review of the eligibility of sub-Saharan African countries to receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Subcommittee will consider these comments in developing recommendations on AGOA country eligibility for the President. Comments received related to the child labor criteria may also be considered by the Secretary of Labor for the preparation of the Department of Labor's report on child labor as required under section 412(c) of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. This notice identifies the eligibility criteria that must be considered under the AGOA, and lists those sub-Saharan African countries that are currently eligible for the benefits of the AGOA, and those that are currently ineligible for such benefits.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Certain Measures Affecting Electronic Payment Services
Document Number: 2010-24456
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-09-29
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on September 15, 2010, the United States requested consultations with the People's Republic of China (``China'') under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning issues relating to certain restrictions and requirements maintained by China pertaining to electronic payment services for payment card transactions and the suppliers of those services. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS413/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Countervailing and Antidumping Duties on Grain Oriented Flat-Rolled Electrical Steel
Document Number: 2010-24455
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-09-29
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on September 15, 2010, the United States requested consultations with the People's Republic of China (``China'') under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning issues relating to countervailing and antidumping duties imposed by China on imports from the United States of grain oriented flat-rolled electrical steel. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS414/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Notice of Meeting of the Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs)
Document Number: 2010-23587
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-09-22
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The meeting will be closed to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and opened to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Changing the Date of the Country Practices Review Hearing
Document Number: 2010-22408
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-09-09
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
On August 11, 2010, a public notice was published in the Federal Register on pages 48737-48738 announcing a public hearing to consider country practices petitions received in the 2009 Annual Review under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. This notice announces a change in the hearing date and location, from September 24, 2010, to September 28, 2010. The hearing will now be held at 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Notice of Meeting of the Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs)
Document Number: 2010-22137
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-09-07
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Committee of Chairs of the Industry Trade Advisory Committees (ITACs) will hold a meeting on Friday, September 17, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The meeting will be closed to the public from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and opened to the public from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Fiscal Year 2011 Tariff-rate Quota Allocations for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined and Specialty Sugar, and Sugar-containing Products; Revision
Document Number: 2010-21524
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice in the Federal Register of August 17, 2010 concerning Fiscal Year 2011 tariff-rate quota allocations of raw cane sugar, refined and special sugar, and sugar-containing products. USTR is revising the effective date of that notice to September 1, 2010 from October 1, 2010.
Notice and Modification of Action: Canada-Compliance with Softwood Lumber Agreement
Document Number: 2010-21486
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), Canada agreed to impose export measures on Canadian exports of softwood lumber products to the United States. At the request of the United States, an arbitral tribunal established under the SLA determined in March 2008 that Canada had breached certain SLA obligations. In February 2009, the tribunal issued a remedy award instructing Canada to collect an additional 10 percent ad valorem export charge on softwood lumber shipments from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, until an entire amount of CDN $68 million has been collected. Canada did not begin collecting the additional export charge. In April 2009, the United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') initiated an investigation under Section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act''). In that investigation, the Trade Representative determined that Canada's failure to implement the tribunal's remedy award had the effect of denying U.S. rights under the SLA; and, pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act, the Trade Representative imposed 10 percent ad valorem duties on imports of softwood lumber products subject to the SLA from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan (the April 2009 action). Under the April 2009 action, the duties are to remain in place until such time as the United States collects $54.8 million, the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN $68 million at the time. The Government of Canada, however, has now
Membership of the Performance Review Board (PRB)
Document Number: 2010-21371
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-27
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The following staff members have been appointed to serve on the Performance Review Board:
CAFTA-DR Consultation Request Regarding Guatemala's Apparent Failure to Effectively Enforce its Labor Laws
Document Number: 2010-20756
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-23
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice that on July 30, 2010, pursuant to the Labor Chapter (Chapter 16) of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the United States requested consultations with the Government of Guatemala to discuss Guatemala's apparent failure to meet its obligation under Article 16.2.1(a) to effectively enforce its labor laws. The consultations request may be found at https://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/ cafta-dr-dominican-republic-central-america-fta/kirk-solis-le . USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues that will be raised in consultations.
Fiscal Year 2011 Tariff-Rate Quota Allocations for Raw Cane Sugar, Refined and Specialty Sugar, and Sugar-Containing Products
Document Number: 2010-20234
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quotas for imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar, and sugar-containing products.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Measures Affecting the Production and Sale of Clove Cigarettes
Document Number: 2010-20161
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on June 10, 2010, the United States received a request from the Republic of Indonesia (``Indonesia'') for the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') regarding a provision of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Pub. L. 111-31). That request may be found at https:// www.wto.org in a document designated as WT/DS406/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Extending Deadline for Submission of Petitions for the 2010 Annual GSP Product Review
Document Number: 2010-19980
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
On July 15, 2010, a public notice was published in the Federal Register on pages 41274-41276 requesting petitions by August 3, 2010, to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. This notice extends the deadline for submission of petitions for the 2010 Annual GSP Product Review to 5 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2010. Notification of which petitions are accepted for the 2010 Annual GSP Review and of other relevant dates will be announced in the Federal Register at a later date.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the Announcement of Petitions Accepted for the 2009 Annual GSP Country Practices Review, Acceptance of Pre-Hearing Comments and Requests To Testify for the 2009 Annual GSP Country Practices Review Hearing, and the Initiation of the 2010 Annual GSP Country Practices Review
Document Number: 2010-19745
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-11
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) accepted petitions in connection with the 2009 GSP Annual Review to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices. This notice sets forth the schedule for comment and public hearings on the newly accepted petitions for the 2009 Country Eligibility Practices Review, for requesting participation in the hearings, and for submitting pre-hearing and post-hearing briefs, and determines that the deadline for submitting pre-hearing comments and requesting participation in the hearings is 5 p.m., Friday, September 3, 2010. The list of newly accepted petitions is available at: http: //www.ustr.gov/trade-topics/trade-development/ preference-programs/generalized-system-preference-gsp/current -review-1 in ``List of Country Practice Petitions Accepted in the 2009 GSP Annual Review.'' The petitions accepted include a Worker Rights petition regarding Sri Lanka filed by the AFL-CIO and two Arbitral Awards petitions regarding Argentina filed by Azurix Corporation and Blue Ridge Investments, LLC. The petitions themselves can be found in docket USTR-2009-0015 at https://www.regulations.gov.
Request for Public Comments To Compile the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers and Reports on Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Standards-Related Foreign Trade Barriers
Document Number: 2010-19447
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-08-06
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Pursuant to section 181 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2241), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is required to publish annually the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE). With this notice, the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting interested persons to submit comments to assist it in identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports of goods, services, and U.S. foreign direct investment for inclusion in the NTE.
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2010-17222
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-07-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Monday, August 9, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Announcing the Initiation of the 2010 Annual GSP Product Review and Deadlines for Filing Petitions
Document Number: 2010-17221
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-07-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
This notice announces that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will receive petitions to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. This notice determines that the deadline for submission of product petitions, other than those requesting competitive need limitation (CNL) waivers, is 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 3, 2010. The deadline for submission of petitions requesting CNL waivers is 5 p.m., Tuesday, November 16, 2010. The lists of product petitions accepted for review will be announced in the Federal Register at a later date.
Allocation of Second Additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 In-Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2010-16823
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-07-09
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of a second additional fiscal year (FY) 2010 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar.
Request for Proposals To Accelerate Tariff Elimination and Modify the Rules of Origin Under the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2010-16756
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-07-09
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
This notice requests that interested persons submit proposals seeking accelerated tariff elimination under the USCFTA and describes the procedures for filing proposals. This notice also requests proposals on appropriate changes that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) should consider for liberalizing the USCFTA's rules of origin.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp From Viet Nam
Document Number: 2010-13796
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-06-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative
Notice and Request for Comments: Canada-Compliance With Softwood Lumber Agreement
Document Number: 2010-12951
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-05-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA), Canada agreed to impose export measures on Canadian exports of softwood lumber products to the United States. At the request of the United States, an arbitral tribunal established under the SLA determined in March 2008 that Canada had breached certain SLA obligations. In February 2009, the tribunal issued a remedy award requiring Canada to collect an additional 10 percent ad valorem export charge on softwood lumber shipments from Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, until an entire amount of CDN $ 68 million has been collected. Canada did not begin collecting the additional export charge. In April 2009, the United States Trade Representative (``Trade Representative'') initiated an investigation under Section 302 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (``Trade Act''). In that investigation, the Trade Representative determined that Canada's failure to implement the tribunal's remedy award had the effect of denying U.S. rights under the SLA; and, pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act, the Trade Representative imposed 10 percent ad valorem duties on imports of softwood lumber products subject to the SLA from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan (the April 2009 action). Under the April 2009 action, the duties are to remain in place until such time as the United States collects $54.8 million, the U.S. dollar equivalent of CDN $ 68 million at the time. The Government of Canada, however, is now
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Measures Affecting the Production and Sale of Clove Cigarettes
Document Number: 2010-11614
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-05-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on April 8, 2010, the United States received from Indonesia a letter requesting consultations under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') regarding a provision of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Pub. L. 111-31) that prohibits the production or sale in the United States of cigarettes containing certain additives, including clove. This request may be found at https://www.wto.org in a document designated as WT/DS406/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Allocation of Additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 In-Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2010-11210
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-05-11
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of additional fiscal year (FY) 2010 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar.
Notice With Respect to List of Countries Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Government-Funded Airport Construction Projects
Document Number: 2010-9764
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-04-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Pursuant to section 533 of the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 1982, as amended (49 U.S.C. 50104), the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined not to list any countries as denying fair market opportunities for U.S. products, suppliers, or bidders in foreign government-funded airport construction projects.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Use of Zeroing in Anti-Dumping Measures Involving Products From Korea
Document Number: 2010-9008
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-04-20
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on April 8, 2010, received a request from the Republic of Korea (``Korea'') for the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning certain issues relating to the imposition of antidumping measures on stainless steel plate in coils, stainless steel sheet and strip in coils, and diamond sawblades and parts thereof from Korea. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org in a document designated as WT/DS402/3. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Trade Policy Staff Committee: Public Comments Regarding Granting Suriname Eligibility for Benefits Under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act
Document Number: 2010-7513
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-04-05
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is seeking comments from the public on whether Suriname should be designated as eligible to receive benefits under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), as amended by the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) (19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.). Although Congress has identified Suriname as potentially eligible for benefits, the government of Suriname did not request beneficiary status under either the CBERA or the CBTPA until December 2009. The TPSC invites written comments concerning whether Suriname meets the criteria described in sections 212(b), 212(c), and 213(b)(5)(B) of the CBERA, as amended. The TPSC will consider these comments in developing its recommendation to the President regarding Suriname's eligibility for benefits under CBERA and CBTPA.
Request for Comments Concerning an Environmental Review of the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2010-6653
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-03-25
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
This publication gives notice that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), is initiating an environmental review of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement (TPP) between the United States and the other countries currently involved in TPP negotiations. The TPSC is requesting written comments from the public on what should be included in the scope of the environmental review, including the potential environmental effects that might flow from the trade agreement and the potential implications for U.S. environmental laws and regulations. The TPSC is also requesting identification of potential complementarities between trade and environmental objectives such as the promotion of sustainable development. The TPSC also welcomes public views on appropriate methodologies and sources of data for conducting the review. The review will be conducted consistent with the relevant procedures of Executive Order 13141 (64 FR 63169) (Nov. 18, 1999) and its implementing guidelines (65 FR 79442). Persons submitting written comments should provide as much detail as possible on the degree to which the subject matter they propose for inclusion in the review may raise significant environmental issues in the context of the negotiation. Public comments on environmental issues submitted in response to a previous notice (74 FR 66720) requesting comments from the public to assist USTR in formulating positions and proposals with respect to all aspects of the negotiation of a Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement will be taken into account in preparing the environmental review and do not need to be resubmitted.
Reallocation of Unused Fiscal Year 2010 Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2010-6599
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-03-25
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country reallocations of the fiscal year (FY) 2010 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar.
Public Comments for Multilateral Negotiations in the World Trade Organization on Expansion of the Lists of Pharmaceutical Products Receiving Zero Duties
Document Number: 2010-5482
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-03-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting written comments from the public with respect to the expansion of the list of pharmaceuticals subject to reciprocal duty elimination by certain members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The specific information being sought is described in the background section below.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Announcing the Availability of Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations (CNLs) and Inviting Public Comment on CNL Waivers Subject to Potential Revocation Based on New Statutory Thresholds, Possible De Minimis Waivers, and Product Redesignations for the 2009 Annual Review
Document Number: 2010-4706
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-03-05
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
This notice announces the availability of full 2009 calendar year import statistics relating to competitive need limitations (CNLs) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will accept public comments submitted by 5 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 2010, via https:// www.regulations.gov regarding three issues: (1) Potential revocation of CNL waivers that meet the statutory thresholds set forth by section 503(d)(4)(B)(ii) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463(d)(4)(B)(ii)), as amended by Public Law 109-432; (2) possible de minimis CNL waivers; and (3) possible redesignations of articles currently not eligible for GSP benefits because they previously exceeded the CNL thresholds.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp From Viet Nam
Document Number: 2010-3551
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-02-23
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on February 1, 2010, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (``Vietnam'') requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning a number of antidumping administrative reviews and new shipper reviews conducted by the Department of Commerce on imports of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Vietnam (Investigation A-552-801), and various U.S. laws, regulations, administrative procedures, practices, and methodologies. That request may be found at https://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS404/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Free Trade Agreements; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on Dispute Settlement Rosters for the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (“FTA”), the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States FTA, the North American FTA, and the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
Document Number: 2010-1778
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-01-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
A number of trade agreements to which the United States is a party call for the parties to establish rosters of persons available to serve on dispute settlement panels to hear disputes under those agreements. These agreements include the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''), the North American Free Trade Agreement (``NAFTA''), and the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. In some instances, an agreement will call for the establishment of more than one roster. For example, the CAFTA-DR requires the establishment of four rosters of individuals who would be available to serve as panelists in dispute settlement proceedings arising under that agreement: a general roster and rosters for disputes concerning financial services, labor, and environment matters. USTR is inviting interested persons to apply to be on one or more of these several rosters under the various agreements.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the Review of a Petition To Withdraw the Eligibility of Certain Sleeping Bags Under the GSP Program
Document Number: 2010-1325
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-01-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has accepted for review a petition to remove certain sleeping bags (HTS9404.30.80) from the list of products eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. This notice sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and review of the petition.
2010 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974: Request for Public Comment and Announcement of Public Hearing
Document Number: 2010-620
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-01-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection. (The provisions of Section 182 are commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions of the Trade Act.). The USTR is required to determine which, if any, of these countries should be identified as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies, or practices that are the basis of a country's identification as a Priority Foreign Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301-305 of the Trade Act.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Certain Measures Affecting Imports of Certain Passenger Vehicle and Light Truck Tires From China
Document Number: 2010-126
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-01-08
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on December 9, 2009 the United States received a request from China for the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning certain measures affecting imports of certain passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China. The request may be found at https://www.wto.org in document WT/DS399/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the Acceptance of Petitions To Grant a Competitive Need Limitation (CNL) Waiver
Document Number: E9-31378
Type: Notice
Date: 2010-01-05
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative, Trade Representative, Office of United States, Executive Office of the President
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has received petitions in connection with the 2009 GSP Annual Review to waive the competitive need limitations (CNLs) on imports of certain products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program. USTR also has received petitions to determine that certain products were not produced in the United States as of January 1, 1995. This notice announces those petitions that have been accepted for further review. All other petitions have been rejected. This notice also sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and the public hearing on the petitions, filing requests to participate in the hearing, submitting pre-hearing and post-hearing briefs, and commenting on the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) report on probable economic effects. The list of petitions for CNL waivers and petitions for determinations that products were not produced in the United States that were submitted for review is available at: https://www.ustr.gov/ trade-topics/trade-development/preference-programs/generalize d-system- preference-gsp/current-review-1.
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