[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 205 (Monday, October 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 62318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23821]



[[Page 62318]]

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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Update on Potential Withdrawal of Tariff Concessions and Increase 
in Applied Duties in Response to European Union (EU) Enlargement and EU 
Changes to Its Rice Import Regime

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Update for the public.

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Background: In Federal Register Notices 04-20543, dated September 10, 
2004, and 04-21762, dated September 28, 2004, the Office of the U.S. 
Trade Representative sought comments concerning a list of goods for 
which tariff concessions may be withdrawn and duties may be increased 
in the event the United States cannot reach agreement with the European 
Union (EU) for adequate compensation owed under World Trade 
Organization (WTO) rules as a result of EU enlargement and EU changes 
to its rice import regime. The Trade Policy Staff Committee continues 
to review the public comments that it has received in response to these 
Federal Register notices. As announced at a public hearing on September 
24, 2004, the United States had been subject to a deadline of October 
1, 2004 to notify the WTO of its rights to withdraw substantially 
equivalent concessions under GATT 1994 Article XXVIII:3 in relation to 
the issue of EU enlargement. The European Communities has subsequently 
extended the United States' and other interested WTO Members' rights to 
withdraw substantially equivalent concessions for an additional six 
months, until April 30, 2005. In the case of the rice import regime 
change, the United States and other interested WTO Members have a right 
to withdraw substantially equivalent concessions until March 1, 2005. 
The United States Government is seeking an immediate negotiated 
resolution of both the enlargement and the rice Margin of Preference 
issues, which would alleviate the need for increases in U.S. tariffs. 
However, we retain the right to put into force the aforementioned 
tariff increases if negotiations do not result in successful provision 
of adequate compensation. The United States must notify the World Trade 
Organization at least 30 days before such increases could go into 
effect. The United States would also provide notification to the public 
of the list of goods affected at least thirty days before such 
increases could go into effect. The public is encouraged to call Laurie 
Molnar, Director for European and Mediterranean Trade Issues, Office of 
Europe and the Mediterranean, at (202) 395-3320, or Sharon Sydow, 
Director for Agriculture, Office of Agriculture, Office of the U.S. 
Trade Representative at (202) 395-6127 for periodic updates on the 
status of these issues.

Carmen Suro-Bredie,
Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 04-23821 Filed 10-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W5-P