Morocco Files Short Supply Request for Warp Knit Fabric

On April 18, 2019, the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements published in the Federal Register (84 FR 16243) Request for Public Comment on a Commercial Availability Request Under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

SUMMARY: The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco dated March 14, 2019, on behalf of GOTTEX SWIMWEAR BRANDS LTD to initiate consultations under Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA. The Government of Morocco is requesting that the United States and Morocco (``the Parties'') consider revising the rules of origin for women's or girls' swimwear to address availability of supply of certain knit fabric in the territories of the Parties. The President of the United States may proclaim a modification to the USMFTA rules of origin for textile and apparel products after the United States reaches an agreement with the Government of Morocco on a modification under Article 4.3.6 of the USMFTA to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether certain knit fabric can be supplied by the U.S. domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by May 20, 2019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background: Article 4.3.3 of the USMFTA provides that, on the request of either Party, the Parties shall consult to consider whether the rules of origin applicable to a particular textile or apparel good should be revised to address issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the territories of the Parties. In the consultations, pursuant to Article 4.3.4 of the USMFTA, each Party shall consider all data presented by the other Party that demonstrate substantial production in its territory of a particular fiber, yarn, or fabric. The Parties shall consider that there is substantial production if a Party demonstrates that its domestic producers are capable of supplying commercial quantities of the fiber, yarn, or fabric in a timely manner.

The Government of the United States received a request from the Government of Morocco dated March 14, 2019, on behalf of GOTTEX SWIMWEAR BRANDS LTD, requesting that the United States consider whether the USMFTA rule of origin for women's or girls' swimwear classified under HTSUS 6112.41 should be modified to allow the use of printed and piece-dyed warp knit fabrics of polyester or nylon fibers, containing between 6% and 41% elastomeric yarns classified under subheading 6004.10 of the HTSUS that is not originating under the USMFTA.