Office of the United States Trade Representative 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

2013 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: 2012-31336
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-12-31
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242) requires the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative) 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 Trade Act requires the Trade Representative to determine which, if any, of these countries to identify 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, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (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 that rely on intellectual property protection. 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 Trade Representative on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions from interested persons are a key source of information for the Special 301 review process. In 2013, USTR again 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 deciding 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, wishing to testify at the public hearing must follow the procedures set out below for filing a notice of intent to testify. The deadlines for these procedures are set out below.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the Disposition of a Product Petition From the 2011 GSP Annual Product Review and the Acceptance of Product Petitions for the 2012 GSP Annual Product Review
Document Number: 2012-31282
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-12-28
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces (1) the disposition of a petition on certain pinch-seal plastic bags, accepted in the 2011 GSP Annual Product Review, and (2) those petitions submitted in connection with the 2012 GSP Annual Product Review which have been accepted for further review. This notice also sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and for public hearings associated with the 2012 review of petitions and products.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Argentina-Measures Affecting the Importation of Goods
Document Number: 2012-30965
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-12-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that the United States has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS444/10. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
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, Peru, Colombia, and Panama
Document Number: 2012-30249
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-12-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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, Peru, Colombia, and Panama. 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 States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (Chile FTA); (ii) the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (Morocco FTA); (iii) the Dominican Republic-Central America- United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR); (iv) the United States- Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (Peru TPA); (v) the United States- Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (Colombia TPA), and (vi) the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (Panama TPA).
Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as Amended: Notice Regarding the 2012 Annual Review
Document Number: 2012-29046
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-12-03
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) received no new petitions in September 2012 to review certain practices in a beneficiary developing country to determine whether such country is in compliance with the ATPA eligibility criteria. USTR received updates related to one matter that is currently under review. This notice specifies the status of the petitions filed in prior years that have remained under review.
Request for Comments Concerning Compliance With Telecommunications Trade Agreements
Document Number: 2012-28505
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-11-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
Pursuant to section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 3106) (`Section 1377'), the Office of 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, Colombia, Korea, Morocco, Oman, Panama, Peru, and Singapore; the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''); and any other telecommunications trade agreements, such as Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment. The USTR will conclude the review by March 31, 2013.
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2012-28501
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-11-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations
Document Number: 2012-27083
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-11-06
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice is to inform the public of the availability of import statistics for the first eight months of 2012 relating to competitive need limitations (CNLs) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. These import statistics identify some articles for which the 2012 trade levels may exceed statutory CNLs. Interested parties may find this information useful in deciding whether to submit a petition to waive the CNLs for individual beneficiary developing countries (BDCs) with respect to specific GSP-eligible articles. As previously announced in the Federal Register (77 FR 44704 (July 30, 2012)), the deadline for submission of product petitions to waive the CNLs for individual BDCs with respect to GSP-eligible articles is 5 p.m., November 21, 2012.
Request for Public Comments To Compile the Reports on Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Technical Barriers to Trade
Document Number: 2012-26537
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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 Reports on Sanitary and Phytosanitary and Technical Barriers to Trade. With this notice, the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting interested persons to submit comments to assist it in identifying significant sanitary and phytosanitary and standards-related barriers to U.S. exports of goods for inclusion in these two reports. These reports were published as the 2012 Report on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (2012 SPS Report) and the 2012 Report on Technical Barriers to Trade (2012 TBT Report) respectively. The TPSC invites written comments from the public on issues that USTR should examine in preparing the SPS and TBT Reports.
Implementation of United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Tariff-Rate Quota for Imports of Sugar
Document Number: 2012-26431
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
USTR is providing notice that the tariff-rate quotas for sugar established by the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement will be administered using certificates.
North American Free Trade Agreement; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on the Chapter 19 Roster
Document Number: 2012-25993
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-22
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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, 2013, through March 31, 2014.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Certain Measures Affecting the Automobile and Automobile-Parts Industries
Document Number: 2012-25462
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (AUSTR@) is providing notice that on September 17, 2012, 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 certain measures that appear to provide subsidies such as grants, loans, forgone government revenue, the provision of goods and services, and other incentives contingent upon export performance to automobile and automobile-parts enterprises in China. These measures appear to be prohibited subsidies that are inconsistent with China's obligations under Article 3 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (``SCM Agreement''). In addition, it appears that China has failed to comply with its transparency obligations under the WTO Agreement. The consultation request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS450/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Trade Policy Staff Committee: Request for Comments From the Public Regarding Granting Certain Trade Benefits to Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Document Number: 2012-25063
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-11
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is seeking comments from the public on whether Cura[ccedil]ao, Sint Maarten, and the Turks and Caicos Islands 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.) and whether Aruba, the Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (``St. Vincent'') should be designated as eligible to receive benefits under CBTPA. Although Congress identified the Turks and Caicos Islands as potentially eligible for benefits in 1983, the Turks and Caicos Islands did not request beneficiary status until July 2012. Similarly, although the Congress identified the Bahamas, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent for benefits under CBERA in 1983 and CBTPA in 2000, these countries did not request benefits under CBTPA until 2012. Aruba was designated as a beneficiary country of CBERA benefits effective as of January 1, 1986 upon becoming independent of the Netherlands Antilles in 1986, and requested CBTPA benefits in October 2012. As a result of the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in October of 2010, Cura[ccedil]ao and Sint Maarten became successor political entities of the Netherlands Antilles and eligible to receive benefits as such. Cura[ccedil]ao and Sint Maarten requested the receipt of CBERA and CBTPA benefits in, respectively, July and June of 2012.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Products From China
Document Number: 2012-25061
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-11
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on September 17, 2012, the People's Republic of China (``China'') requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning Public Law 112-99, ``An act to apply the countervailing duty provisions of the Tariff Act of 1930 to nonmarket economy countries, and for other purposes'' (``Pub. L. 112-99''), and the countervailing and anti-dumping duty determinations and actions by the Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on imports of the products from China listed below. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS449/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Certain Automobiles From the United States
Document Number: 2012-25053
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-11
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on September 18, 2012, the United States requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') with the People's Republic of China (``China'') concerning China's anti-dumping and countervailing duties on certain automobiles from the United States. That request may be found at www.wto.org in a document designated as WT/DS440/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2012-24680
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-10-05
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Monday, October 15, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Request for Public Comments on Annual Review of Country Eligibility for Benefits Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act
Document Number: 2012-23144
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-09-19
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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 (the AGOA). The Subcommittee will consider these comments in developing recommendations on AGOA country eligibility for calendar year 2013 for the President. Comments received related to the child labor criteria may also be considered by the Secretary of Labor in 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 were ineligible for such benefits in 2012.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Countervailing Duty Measures on Certain Products from China
Document Number: 2012-22870
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-09-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (AUSTR@) is providing notice that on August 20, 2012, the People's Republic of China (``China'') requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning countervailing duty determinations and orders by the Department of Commerce (``DOC'') on imports of the products from China listed below. The panel request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS437/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Argentina-Measures Affecting the Importation of Goods
Document Number: 2012-21729
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-09-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on August 21, 2012, the United States requested consultations with the Government of Argentina (``Argentina'') under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning certain measures imposed by Argentina on the importation of goods. That request may be found at www.wto.org, contained in a document designated as WT/DS444/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning China's Compliance With WTO Commitments
Document Number: 2012-20430
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-08-20
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will convene a public hearing and seek public comment to assist the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in the preparation of its annual report to the Congress on China's compliance with the commitments made in connection with its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Change in Hearing Date and Related Deadlines for the Country Practice Petitions Accepted as Part of the 2011 Annual GSP Review
Document Number: 2012-20149
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-08-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The hearing date previously announced in the Federal Register (77 FR 41209) for the country practice petitions accepted as part of the 2011 Annual GSP Review and the related deadlines for submissions of pre-hearing briefs, requests to appear, and post-hearing briefs are being changed to those noted below.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From India
Document Number: 2012-20148
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-08-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that India has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning countervailing measures regarding certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS436/3. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Request for Public Comments To Compile the National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
Document Number: 2012-20077
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-08-15
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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. The TPSC invites written comments from the public on issues that USTR should examine in preparing the NTE. In 2013, USTR will once again release in conjunction with the NTE report two reports dealing with additional trade barriersone on SPS measures and one on standards-related measures. USTR will invite written comments from the public on issues that should be examined in preparing those two reports through a separate Notice in the Federal Register that will be forthcoming. Information regarding such measures should NOT be submitted in response to this Notice.
Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA): Notice Regarding the 2012 Annual Review
Document Number: 2012-19576
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-08-10
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces the 2012 Annual Review of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA). Under this process, petitions may be filed calling for the limitation, withdrawal or suspension of ATPA or ATPDEA benefits by presenting evidence that the eligibility criteria of the program are not being met. USTR will publish a list of petitions filed in response to this announcement in the Federal Register.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Measures Related to the Exportation of Rare Earths, Tungsten and Molybdenum
Document Number: 2012-18429
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-07-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that the United States has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS431/6. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Initiation of the 2012 Annual GSP Product and Country Practices Review; Deadlines for Filing Petitions
Document Number: 2012-18426
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-07-30
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is prepared to receive petitions to modify the list of products that are eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP program and to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary developing countries because of country practices. USTR is also prepared to receive petitions requesting waivers of competitive need limitations (CNLs).
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2012-18016
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-07-24
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Friday, August 10, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Results of the 2011 Annual GSP Review; Notice of Hearing and Public Comments for Country Practice Petitions Accepted as Part of the 2011 Annual GSP Review
Document Number: 2012-17023
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-07-12
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces the results of the 2011 Annual GSP Review with respect to: (1) Products considered for addition to the list of eligible products for GSP; (2) decisions related to competitive need limitations (CNLs), including petitions for waivers of CNLs and revocation of previous CNL waivers; (3) redesignations of products previously excluded from GSP eligibility for certain countries; and (4) petitions to modify the GSP status of certain GSP beneficiary countries because of country practices. This notice also announces the schedule for public comments and a public hearing for four country practice petitions newly accepted for review (regarding Fiji, Indonesia, Iraq, and Ukraine), the closure of the country practices review of Sri Lanka's worker rights practices, and the designation of Afghanistan as a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for purposes of the GSP.
Free Trade Agreements; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on Dispute Settlement Lists for U.S. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) With Australia, Colombia, Korea, Morocco, and Singapore
Document Number: 2012-15449
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-06-25
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
A number of trade agreements to which the United States is a Party call for the Parties to establish indicative rosters or reserve or contingent lists of persons (``lists'') available to serve on dispute settlement panels to hear disputes under those agreements. These agreements include the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (``USAFTA''), the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (``USCTPA''), the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (``KORUS''), the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (``USMFTA''), and the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (``USSFTA''). USTR is inviting interested persons to apply to be on one or more of these lists under the various agreements, as indicated below.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding India-Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Agricultural Products
Document Number: 2012-13471
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-06-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on May 11, 2012, the United States requested establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') with the Government of India (``India'') concerning measures imposed by India on the importation of various agricultural products from the United States, purportedly because of concerns related to avian influenza. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS430/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Notice of Effective Date of Modifications to a Rule of Origin of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2012-12935
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-05-29
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
In Proclamation 8334 of December 31, 2008, the President modified the rules of origin for certain goods of Australia under the USAFTA. While these modifications were incorporated in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (the ``HTS'') at that time, the proclamation stated that the modifications would be effective on a date that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced in the Federal Register. This notice announces that the effective date for the modifications is June 1, 2012. This notice also makes a technical correction to the rule of origin as set out in proclamation 8334.
Notice of Termination of United States-Bolivia Bilateral Investment Treaty
Document Number: 2012-12494
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-05-23
Agency: Department of State, Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Government of Bolivia has delivered to the United States a notice of termination for the bilateral investment treaty between the two countries, a termination that will take effect on June 10, 2012. As of June 10, 2012, the treaty will cease to have effect except that it will continue to apply for another 10 years to covered investments existing at the time of termination (June 10, 2012).
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Countervailing Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From India
Document Number: 2012-10818
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-05-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on April 24, 2012, India requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning countervailing measures regarding certain hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from India. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS436/1/Rev.1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Fiscal Year 2012 Allocation of Additional Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar and Reallocation of Unused Fiscal Year 2012 Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
Document Number: 2012-10019
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-26
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country allocations of additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar and of country-by-country reallocations of the FY 2012 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota for imported raw cane sugar.
Implementation of United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Tariff-Rate Quota for Imports of Sugar
Document Number: 2012-9964
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-25
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
USTR is providing notice that the tariff-rate quota for sugar established by the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will be administered using certificates of quota eligibility.
Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as Amended: Request for Public Comments Regarding Beneficiary Countries
Document Number: 2012-9838
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-24
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
In compliance with section 203(f) of the ATPA, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 3202(f)(2), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting the views of interested parties on whether the remaining designated beneficiary country (as of May 15, 2012), Ecuador, is meeting the eligibility criteria under the ATPA. (See 19 U.S.C. 3203(b)(6)(B)). This information will be used in the preparation of a report to the Congress on the operation of the program.
Notice With Respect to List of Countries Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Government-Funded Airport Construction Projects
Document Number: 2012-9547
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-20
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
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 European Communities and Certain Member States-Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft-Recourse by the United States to Article 21.5 of the DSU
Document Number: 2012-9426
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-19
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on March 30, 2012, the United States requested establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS316/23. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Measures Related to the Exportation of Rare Earths, Tungsten and Molybdenum
Document Number: 2012-8018
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-04
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on March 13, 2012, in accordance with the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement''), the United States requested consultations regarding restraints on the export from China of various forms of rare earths, tungsten and molybdenum (the ``materials''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS431/ 1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States; Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Shrimp from Viet Nam
Document Number: 2012-7605
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-04-02
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (AUSTR@) is providing notice that on February 21, 2012, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (``Vietnam'') requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (AWTO Agreement@) concerning certain antidumping administrative reviews and a sunset review conducted by the Department of Commerce on imports of certain frozen warmwater shrimp from Vietnam (Investigation A-552- 802), and various U.S. laws, regulations, administrative procedures, practices, and methodologies. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS429/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding India-Measures Concerning the Importation of Certain Agricultural Products
Document Number: 2012-7309
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-03-27
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on March 6, 2012, the United States requested consultations with the Government of India under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning antidumping measures prohibitions imposed by India on the importation of various agricultural products from the United States purportedly because of concerns related to Avian Influenza. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS430/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Change in Hearing Date for the 2011 Annual GSP Product Review
Document Number: 2012-6454
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-03-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The date of the hearing for the 2011 Annual GSP Product Review is changed to Thursday, March 29, 2012. Post-hearing comments are due Monday, April 16, 2012.
2011 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Product Review: Inviting Public Comments on Possible Actions Related to Competitive Need Limitations
Document Number: 2012-6349
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-03-16
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will accept public comments submitted by April 6, 2012, regarding: (1) Potential revocation of competitive need limitations (CNL) waivers; (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. Full 2011 calendar year import statistics relating to CNLs under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program are now available.
Notice of Meeting of the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11)
Document Number: 2012-5791
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-03-09
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Small and Minority Business (ITAC-11) will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will be opened to the public from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice Regarding the 2011 GSP Annual Product Review
Document Number: 2012-3974
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-02-21
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice announces which petitions submitted in connection with the 2011 GSP Annual Product Review have been accepted for further review. In addition, twelve cotton products will be reviewed for possible designation as eligible for GSP benefits for least-developed country beneficiaries of the GSP program. This notice also sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and for public hearings associated with the review of these petitions and products.
Request for Petitions To Modify the Rules of Origin Under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement
Document Number: 2012-3717
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-02-17
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
This notice solicits proposals on appropriate changes that USTR should consider for modifying the CAFTA-DR's rules of origin under Article 4.14 of the Agreement.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China-Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Measures on Broiler Products From the United States
Document Number: 2012-606
Type: Notice
Date: 2012-01-13
Agency: Office of the United States Trade Representative
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on December 8, 2011, the United States requested establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') with the People's Republic of China (``China'') concerning countervailing and antidumping duties on chicken broiler products from the United States. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS427/2. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
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