USITC Seeks Input on US-EU Trade Agreement

The U.S. International Trade Commission ("U.S.I.T.C.") is seeking input for newly initiated investigations into the probable economic effect of duty-free imports under a United States-European Union ("U.S.-E.U.") Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement.

The investigations, U.S.-E.U. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement: Advice on the Probable Economic Effect of Providing Duty-Free Treatment for Imports, were requested by the Acting United States Trade Representative ("U.S.T.R.") in a letter received on March 26, 2013.

As requested, the USITC will advise the President as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free treatment for imports of products from all of the European Union ("E.U.") member states on industries in the United States producing like or directly competitive articles and on consumers. In preparing its advice, the U.S.I.T.C. will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for which tariffs will remain, taking into account implementation of U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization. The advice will be based on the 2013 Harmonized Tariff Schedule nomenclature and trade data for the year 2012. The advice will assume that any known U.S. non-tariff barrier will not be applicable to such imports, and the U.S.I.T.C. will note in its report any instance in which the continued application of a U.S. non-tariff barrier would result in different advice with respect to the effect of the removal of the duty.

In addition, as requested, the U.S.I.T.C. will prepare an assessment of the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports from all of the E.U. member states of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing the product concerned and the U.S. economy as a whole. A list of the products is attached to the U.S.T.R.'s request letter.

The U.S.I.T.C. expects to submit its report, which will be confidential, to the U.S.T.R. by September 26, 2013.

The U.S.I.T.C. is seeking input for these investigations from all interested parties and requests that the information focus on the issues for which the U.S.I.T.C. is requested to provide information and advice.

The U.S.I.T.C. will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigations on June 5, 2013. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on May 16, 2013, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The U.S.I.T.C. also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 18, 2013. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.