Office of the United States Trade Representative 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
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Request for Public Comments on Review of Employment Impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Labor (DOL), through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), are initiating an employment impact review of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. USTR is seeking public comments on the impact of the TPP Agreement on U.S. employment, including labor markets.
Request for Comments Concerning an Environmental Review of the Proposed Environmental Goods Agreement
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), through the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), is initiating an environmental review of the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), a plurilateral trade agreement currently being negotiated among 17 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including the United States. The TPSC invites written comments from the public on the topics that should be included in the scope of the EGA environmental review, including potential positive or negative environmental effects that might result from the trade agreement. The TPSC also welcomes public views on appropriate methodologies and sources of data for conducting the review.
Procurement Thresholds for Implementation of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979
Executive Order 12260 requires the United States Trade Representative to set the U.S. dollar thresholds for application of Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2511 et seq.), which implements U.S. trade agreement obligations, including those under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement, Chapter 15 of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement (United States-Australia FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (United States-Bahrain FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (United States-Chile FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (United States-Colombia FTA), Chapter 9 of the Dominican Republic-Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR- CAFTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (United States-Morocco FTA), Chapter 10 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Oman Free Trade Agreement (United States-Oman FTA), Chapter 9 of the United States- Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (United States-Panama TPA), Chapter 9 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (United States-Peru TPA), and Chapter 13 of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (United States-Singapore FTA). These obligations apply to covered procurements valued at or above specified U.S. dollar thresholds. Now, therefore, I, Michael B.G. Froman, United States Trade Representative, in conformity with the provisions of Executive Order 12260, and in order to carry out U.S. trade agreement obligations under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, Chapter 15 of the United States-Australia FTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Bahrain FTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Chile FTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Colombia FTA, Chapter 9 of DR-CAFTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Morocco FTA, Chapter 10 of NAFTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Oman FTA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Panama TPA, Chapter 9 of the United States-Peru TPA, and Chapter 13 of the United States-Singapore FTA, do hereby determine, effective on January 1, 2016: For the calendar years 2016 and 2017, the thresholds are as follows:
Request for Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Concerning Policy Recommendations for Deepening the U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment Relationship
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), with the participation of other U.S. Government agencies, will convene a public hearing and seek public comment to assist in the preparation of its report to Congress on policy levers for deepening the U.S.- Africa trade and investment relationship.
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
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).
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Acceptance of a Country Practices Petition on Thailand; Notice of Schedule for Public Comments and a Hearing on Certain Country Practice Reviews
The GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) announces that it has accepted for review a country practices petition regarding worker rights in Thailand submitted as part of the GSP Annual Review. This notice sets forth the schedule for public comments and a public hearing on the newly accepted petition on Thailand, as well as the ongoing GSP country practice reviews regarding Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Iraq, Niger, and Uzbekistan. This notice also announces the closure of the country practices review of worker rights in the Philippines without change to that country's GSP trade benefits.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Certain Coated Paper From Indonesia
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that the Republic of Indonesia has requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (``DSU''). That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS491/3. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations (CNLs) and Extension of Deadline for Filing Petitions for 2015 CNLs Waivers
This notice is to inform the public of the availability of import statistics for the first nine months of 2015 relating to competitive need limitations (CNLs) under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. These import statistics identify some articles for which the 2015 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. This notice also extends the deadline for submission of petitions to waive CNLs for individual BDCs with respect to GSP- eligible articles to 5 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2015.
North American Free Trade Agreement; Invitation for Applications for Inclusion on the Chapter 19 Roster
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, 2016, through March 31, 2017.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Results of the GSP Limited Product Review, Including Actions Related to Competitive Need Limitations (CNLs)
This notice announces the results of the GSP Limited Product Review launched in July 2015, including: (1) The designation of certain cotton products as eligible for GSP benefits when imported from least- developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs), and (2) the results of the review of CNL-related issues arising from 2014 import data, including CNL waivers, CNL waiver revocations, requests for redesignation of certain products, and de minimis CNL waivers.
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of a GSP Product Review, Including Possible Actions Related to Competitive Need Limitations
This notice announces a review of products under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program that based on full-year 2014 import data, are subject to certain actions related to competitive need limitations (CNLs). The review will also consider the proposed designation for GSP eligibility of five cotton products from least developed beneficiary developing countries (LDBDCs). The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will accept petitions by interested parties seeking waivers of CNLs for certain products submitted by July 31, 2015. USTR will also accept comments from the public submitted by July 31, 2015, regarding: (1) Possible de minimis CNL waivers, (2) possible redesignations of articles not currently eligible for GSP benefits, (3) possible revocation of CNL waivers, and (4) the proposed designation for GSP eligibility for LDBDCs of the five cotton products. This notice also sets forth the schedule for submitting comments and for a public hearing on prospective CNL waiver petitions and the proposed designation of the cotton products.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Indonesia-Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on May 20, 2015, at the request of the United States, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has established a dispute settlement panel under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning certain measures imposed by Indonesia on the importation of horticultural products, animals and animal products. That request may be found at www.wto.org, contained in a document designated as WT/DS478/9. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Agreement on Government Procurement: Effective Date of Amendments for Armenia
For the purpose of U.S. Government procurement that is covered by Title III of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, the effective date of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, done at Geneva on 30 March 2012, World Trade Organization (WTO), for Armenia is June 6, 2015.
Reallocation of Unused Fiscal Year 2015 Tariff-Rate Quota Volume for Raw Cane Sugar
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice of country-by-country reallocations of the FY 2015 in- quota quantity of the World Trade Organization (WTO) tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Certain Measures Providing Export-Contingent Subsidies to Enterprises in Several Industrial Sectors in China; Correction
On Tuesday, May 12, 2015 (80 FR 27225), the Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') published a notice titled WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Certain Measures Providing Export-Contingent Subsidies to Enterprises in Several Industrial Sectors in China. Subsequent to the publication of that notice, USTR discovered an error in the published notice. This notice corrects that error.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Certain Measures Providing Export-Contingent Subsidies to Enterprises in Several Industrial Sectors in China
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/DS489/6. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Request for Comments on Additional Participants in Trade in Services Agreement
On January 15, 2013, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into negotiations for a Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) with an initial group of 20 trading partners. The January 15 notification states that the group negotiating TISA ``will expand as negotiations progress to include others who share our ambitious goals.'' In April 2015, the TISA negotiating participants reached a consensus decision to accept Mauritius into the negotiations. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) seeks public comments regarding particular priorities with respect to the participation of Mauritius in the negotiations. Comments may be provided in writing.
Notice With Respect to List of Countries Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Government-Funded Airport Construction Projects
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-Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Certain Coated Paper From Indonesia
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on March 13, 2015, the Republic of Indonesia requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning antidumping (``AD'') and countervailing duty (``CVD'') measures pertaining to certain coated paper suitable for high-quality print graphics using sheet-fed presses from Indonesia. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS491/1. 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 Oil Country Tubular Goods From Korea
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is providing notice that the Republic of Korea 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/DS488/5. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Certain Measures Providing Export-Contingent Subsidies to Enterprises in Several Industrial Sectors in China
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on February 11, 2015, the United States requested consultations with the Government of the People's Republic of China (``China'') under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning certain measures providing export-contingent subsidies to enterprises in several industrial sectors in China. That request may be found at www.wto.org, contained in a document designated as WT/DS489/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
Request for Comments on Iceland's Participation in the Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiations
On March 21, 2014, the United States Trade Representative notified Congress of the Administration's intention to enter into negotiations for a World Trade Organization (WTO) Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) with an initial group of 13 trading partners. The United States Trade Representative has since notified Congress of the Administration's intent to join a consensus among EGA participants to invite the Government of Iceland to join the EGA negotiations. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, on behalf of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC), is seeking public comment regarding U.S. interests and priorities with respect to this initiative to invite Iceland to join the EGA negotiations.
WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding United States-Anti-Dumping Measures on Oil Country Tubular Goods From Korea
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that on December 22, 2014, the Republic of Korea requested consultations with the United States under the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (``WTO Agreement'') concerning antidumping measures on oil country tubular goods from Korea. That request may be found at www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS488/1. USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues raised in this dispute.
CAFTA-DR Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding Guatemala's Failure To Effectively Enforce Its Labor Laws
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (``USTR'') is providing notice that effective September 19, 2014, at the request of the United States, the arbitral panel reviewing the U.S. challenge to Guatemala's breach of its obligations under Article 16.2.1(a) of the Dominican RepublicCentral AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR'') has begun its review.
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