International Trade Commission March 31, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Following receipt of a request on March 20, 2006, from United States Trade Representative (USTR) under authority delegated by the President and pursuant to section 103 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3313), the Commission instituted investigation No. NAFTA-103-014, Probable Effect of Certain Modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin. Background: According to the USTR's letter, U.S. negotiators have recently reached agreement in principle with representatives of the governments of Canada and Mexico on proposed modifications to Annexes 401 and 403 of the NAFTA. Chapter 4 and Annexes 401 and 403 of the NAFTA set forth in the rules of origin for applying the tariff provisions of the NAFTA to trade in goods. Section 202(q) of the NAFTA Implementation Act (the Act) authorizes the President, subject to the consultation and layover requirements of section 103 of the Act, to proclaim such modifications to the rules as may from time to time be agreed to by the NAFTA countries. One of the requirements set out in section 103 of the Act is that the President obtain advice from the United States International Trade Commission. The USTR has requested that the Commission provide advice on the probable effect on U.S. trade under the NAFTA and on domestic industries as a result of proposed modifications to the rules of origin in NAFTA Annexes 401 and 403 for a number of products. A complete listing of the products and the proposed modifications is available from the Office of the Secretary to the Commission or by accessing the electronic version of this notice at the Commission's Internet site (https://www.usitc.gov). The current U.S. rules of origin can be found in General Note 12 of the 2005 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (see ``General Notes'' link at https://hotdocs.usitc.gov/tariff chapterscurrent/toc.html). As requested, the Commission will forward its advice to the USTR by August 14, 2006.

The United States International Trade Commission hereby provides notice of an update to the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS). The update to EDIS includes an enhanced interface for the filing of electronic documents and a revised Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures.