The Impact of Trade Agreements: Effect of the Tokyo Round, U.S.-Israel FTA, U.S.-Canada FTA, NAFTA, and the Uruguay Round on the U.S. Economy

AGENCY:

United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION:

Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

September 12, 2002.

SUMMARY:

Following the President's signature on August 6, 2002, of the Trade Act of 2002, the Commission instituted investigation No. TA-2111-1, The Impact of Trade Agreements: Effect of the Tokyo Round, U.S.-Israel FTA, U.S.-Canada FTA, NAFTA, and the Uruguay Round on the U.S. Economy.

The Commission instituted the investigation for the purpose of fulfilling the requirement in section 2111 of the Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210, 116 Stat. 933), that it report to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date of enactment regarding the economic impact on the United States of the following trade agreements: the Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement, the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the Uruguay Round Agreements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Further information may be obtained from Kyle Johnson, Project Leader (202-205-3229) or Russell Hillberry, Deputy Project Leader (202-708-5405), Office of Economics, U.S. International Trade Commission, Washington, DC, 20436. For information on the legal aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.

Public Hearing

A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on January 14, 2003. All persons shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., December 27, 2002. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., January 3, 2003; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., February 14, 2003. In the event that, as of the close of business on December 27, 2002, no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-1806) after December 27, 2002, to determine whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written statements (original and 14 copies) concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked “Confidential Business Information” at the top. All submissions requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for inspection by interested parties. The Congressional committees have requested that the Commission prepare a public report (containing no confidential business information). Accordingly, any confidential business information received by the Commission in this investigation and used in preparing the report will not be published in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close of business on February 14, 2003. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).

List of Subjects: TPA, Trade Act of 2002, tariffs, imports.