USITC Launches Investigation on the Impact on the U.S. Economy of All Trade Agreements Implemented under Trade Authorities since 1984

The U.S. International Trade Commission ("USITC") has initiated an investigation of the economic impact on the United States of all trade agreements with respect to which Congress has enacted an implementing bill under trade authorities procedures since January 1, 1984.

The investigation, Economic Impact of Trade Agreements Implemented Under Trade Authorities Procedures, 2016 Report, is required by section 105(f)(2) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015.

As required by the statute, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will submit its report to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance by June 29, 2016. The report is the first of two required by the statute; the Commission will submit a second report in five years.

The Commission’s report will cover --

• the Uruguay Round Agreements,

• the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA -- Canada, Mexico), and

• U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) with

  • Australia,

  • Bahrain,

  • Chile,

  • Colombia,

  • the Dominican Republic and five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua),

  • Israel,

  • Jordan,

  • Korea,

  • Morocco,

  • Oman,

  • Panama,

  • Peru, and

  • Singapore.

The USITC seeks input for this report from all interested parties. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation on November 17, 2015. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 2, 2015, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The USITC 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 February 5, 2016. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.