UNITED STATES 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE C01\1MISSION 

ANNUAL REPORT 

1977 

Fiscal Year 
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United 

States 

International 

Trade 

Commission 

COMMISSIONERS 

Daniel Minchew, Chairman 

Joseph 0. Parker, Vice Chairman 

George M. Moore 

Catherine Bedell 

ltalo H. Ablondi 

Bill Alberger 

Kenneth R. Mason 

Secretary to the Commission 

Library Cataloging Data 

U.S. International Trade Commission. 

Annual report, 1977 fiscal year. 

[Washington, 1978] 

41 p. illus. 28 cm. (USITC Publication 868) 

I. U.S. International Trade Commission. 

I. Annual report. 

Address all communications to 

United States International Trade Commission 

Washington, D.C. 20436 

Photos inside front cover, inside back cover, 

and outside back cover, 

courtesy Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402 

Stock Number 049-000-00047-2 
bers of the Commission, left to right: Commissioner Bedell, Vice Chairman Parker, Chairman Minchew, and Commissioners 

eonard,' Ablondi, and Moore. ;,_,. 

:;,oner Leonard resigned effective June 10. 1977. 
Professionalism was the keynote of fiscal year 1977 at the U.S. 

International Trade Commission. With the implementation of our 

reorganization plan, we put our structural problems behind us and have 

been able to focus on how well we are doing our job. Aiding us greatly in 

this process of self-improvement has been the new administrative 

chairmanship given us by the Congress on August 17, 1977. By placing 

this· administrative responsibility in the hands of one Commissioner, 

Congress has greatly improved the overall efficiency of our agency and 

at the same time has freed five Commissioners to concentrate almost 

exclusively on the substantive responsibilities of their office. Under the 

new system, we have been able to reduce the size of our administrative 

staff, allowing us to devote more resources to the research and 

investigative work of the Commission. 

Professionalism has meant testing under a heavier workload the 

innovations we introduced in 1976-a different way of handling 

investigations, for instance, with a smaller staff of full-time investigators. 

It has meant continuing proven successes. The USITC's "sunshine" 

procedures adopted by the agency well before the law required them 

have proven so effective in opening up Commission deliberations to the 

public ~hat Common Cause has lauded the USITC as one of the two most 

open and accessible agencies in the entire Government. Ournut-of-town 

hearings, which we have continued to hold in parts of the country likely to 

be affected by our findings, have again and again justified the time and 

effort we have expended, both by securing more pertinent testimony from 

people involved in the day-to-day operations of industries involved in our 

investigations and by introducing the public at large to the role and 

functions of our agency. 

Professionalism has also meant breaking new ground, whether in 

research efforts such as the report Factors Affecting World Petroleum 

Prices to 1985, which successfully challenged conventional wisdom on 

this subject; or the introduction of consent orders as an option in settling 

unfair trade practice cases under section 337, as was done in our color 

television investigation in August 1977; or whether simply in the 

increased productivity and efficiency which have allowed us to meet 

great increases in the demand for our services without increasing our 

authorized number of personnel. 

Our dedicated staff has handled a growing caseload which, in some 

areas, has doubled or tripled over the past 2 years. Despite the extra calls 

on us for service, we have managed our resources in a way which has 

actually allowed us to improve as well as increase our production. We 

have supplied data and support to our negotiators at the multilateral trade 

negotiations in Geneva. We have bettered the form, as well as the 

content, of USITC publications. We have set up a more efficient 

mechanism for responding to congressional interest through fact sheets, 

special briefings, and more coriscientious attention to inquiries. To make 

us a more effective source of information for the Government and the 

public, we have installed a sophisticated data processing system, which 

· will continue to improve our responsiveness over the years. 

In every respect, the constructive effect of our agency on current 

affairs has greatly increased over the past year. I am personally very 
proud of the many ways in which the people on our staff have quietly 

demonstrated their professional attitudes and capabilities and their 

dedication to the public service that this agency provides. I am confident 

that, through their efforts, the accomplishments of this year will be 

continued and expanded in the years to come. 

Daniel Minchew 

Chairman 
Summary of activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Public Investigations ......................................... 5 

Trade Act of 1974: 

Advice to the President .... · .............................. 5 

Relief from injury caused by import competition ............. 5 

Litigation arising under section 333 of the Tariff Act of 

1930 in connection with section 201 of the Trade Act 

·of 1974 ............................................. 7 

East-West trade statistics monitoring system ............... 8 

Preliminary investigations under section 603 of the 

Trade Act of 1974 .................................... 8 

Tariff Act of 1930, as amended: 

General investigations ................................... 8 

Unfair trade practices ................................... 9 

Litigation arising from investigations conducted 

under section 337 ................................... 10 

Antidumping Act, 1921 . as amended: 

Provisions of the Antidumping Act ........................ 11 

Amendments to the Antidumping Act ..................... 12 

Litigation arising from investigations conducted 

under the Antidumping Act ........................... 12 

Other activities: 

Trade agreements program ................................ 15 

Multilateral trade negotiations ........................... 15 

Generalized System of Preferences ...................... 16 

Executive branch review of Commission reports ........... 16 

Uniform statistical data on imports, exports, and production: 

Activities under section 484(e) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ..... 16 

Harmonized Commodity Code ........................... 17 

Preparation of the Tariff Schedules of the United States 

Annotated ............................................ -17 

Periodic reports on commodities: 

Synthetic organic chemicals ............................ 17 

Annual reports ...................................... 1.8 

Monthly reports ..................................... 18 

Quantitative determinations ............................. 18 

Other periodic reports .................................. 19 

Summaries of trade and tariff information .................... 19 

Assistance to the Congress ................................ 20 

Government in the sunshine ................................ 20 

22 Commission factfinding hearings held in 17 cities .......... 21 

New Yark City field office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Two centuries of tariffs recounted ........................... 23 

Administration and finances: 

Organization of the Commission ............................ 29 

Membership of the Commission ......................... 29 

Sources of information .................................. 30 

Employment and appropriations ............................ 30 

Appendix A. Summary of principal activities of the United 

. States International Trade Commission, fiscal years 197 4-77 ... 33 

Appendix B. Reports submitted on proposed legislation .......... 35 

Appendix C. Key statutes involving the U.S. International 

Trade Commission ........................................ 39 

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Investigations Completed 

Title II, Tariff Act of 1930: 

Sec. 332 investigations ..................................... 6 

Sec. 337 investigations of alleged unfair practices 

in importation and sale of imported products ............... 9 

Antidumping Act, 1921, as amended (secs. 201 and 203) ........ 11 

Trade Act of 197 4: 

Sec. 503-advice on possible trade agreements .............. 1 

Sec. 201 "escape clause" cases ........................... 12 

Sec. 203 "review" case .................................... 1 

Sec. 603 preliminary investigation .. : ...................... :_:...!_ 

Total ................................................. 41 

Other Activities 

Publications issued (in addition to reports on investigations): 

Synthetic organic chemicals ............................... 13 

Benzenoid chemicals ...................................... 2 

Responses to letters from Members of Congress and 

congressional committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ,250 

Import and export transactions analyzed ................... 143,000 

Library transactions: 

Volumes circulated ................................... 70,000 

Reference calls ..................................... , .. 8,900 

Reports prepared on proposed legislation ....................... 56 

Reports prepared on U.S. consumption of specified 

commodities .............................................. 6 

Reports prepared on East-West trade ........................... 6 
The United States International Trade Commission is an independent 

Federal agency created by Act of Congress on September 8, 1916, as the 

United States Tariff Commission. On January 3, 1975, the agency's name 

was changed to the United States International Trade Commission by the 

Trade Act of 197 4. 

As a factfinding agency, the Commission has broad powers to study 

and investigate all factors relating to U.S. foreign trade, ·its effect on 

domestic production, employment, and consumption, and the competitiveness of U.S. products. By statute, the Commission may act on its own 

initiative or at the request of the President, the Committee on Finance of 

the U.S. Senate, or the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House 

of Representatives. 

The Commission staff numbers about 350 individuals. They represent 

a divergence of professions and include attorneys, economists, 

investigators, and commodity analysts. Together with the supporting staff 

of data systems experts and service and production personnel, they 

provide the Commission with the expertise required to carry out its 

responsibilities. The staff's primary function is to gather facts and 

evaluate data to assist the Commission in its determinations. 

Commission activities cover a broad range of responsibilities, 

includingInvestigating eligibility for and recommending appropriate import 

relief for domestic industries. 

Taking action against unfair practices in import trade, including the 

importation and sale pf items at less than fair value or the importation of 

items whose production or export was subsidized by a foreign 

government. 

Providing the President, Congress, other Government agencies, and 

the public with technical information on trade and tariff matters. 

Conducting studies on trade and tariff issues relating to U.S. foreign 

trade. 

Assisting in the development of uniform statistical data to achieve 

comparability of import, export, and domestic production statistics. 

The Commission provides technical and factual information on trade 

matters to a diverse audience including businessmen, union leaders, 

consumers, and the media. It also receives opinions and comments on 

issues and policies relating to international trade. Through public 

hearings throughout the Nation and in Washington, D.C., and by other 

_means, the views of interested and affected parties such as labor, 

industry, agriculture, importers, and consumers are represented, 

considered, and evaluated in providing the Commission's technical 

assistance and advice to the President and Congress. Its recommendations frequently form a basis for economic policy decisions on U.S. 

international trade. 

In summary, the Commission contributes to the development of U.S. 

international trade policy, which is soundly based and as equitable as 

possible to all concerned. The Commission strives to deserve a 

reputation for expertise, objectivity, thoroughness, and accomplishment, 

all hallmarks of good public service. 

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The U.S. International Trade Commission is authorized by law to 

investigate almost all aspects of international trade involving the United 

States. During fiscal 1977, Commission investigations were conducted 

under provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, the Tariff Act of 1930, as 

amended, and the Antidumping Act, 1921, as amended. To increase 

public interest and actual participation and to make it more convenient for 

interested parties to present testimony, the Commission continued to 

hold important factfinding hearings throughout the Nation. 

TRADE ACT OF 19741 

Advice to the President 

Section 503' of the Trade Act of 1974 requires that the President. from time to time. 

furnish the Commission with lists of articles which may be provided duty-free treatment 

under provisions of a Generalized System of Preferences. The Commission must then 

advise the President as to the probable economic effect on industries and on 

consumers of granting these preferences for each article listed if imported from 

countries designated by the President as beneficiary developing countries. 

On November 22, 1976, the Special Representative for Trade 

Negotiations furnished the Commission with a list of articles to be 

considered for inclusion in the Generalized System of Preferences. In a 

notice issued on December 2, 1976, the Commission announced 

institution of investigations Nos. TA-503(a)-3 and 332-81. The Commission transmitted its report to the White House on January 24, 1977. 

Relief From Injury Caused by Import Competition 

Section 201 3 of the Trade Act of 197 4 provides means whereby relief may be sought 

tor the purpose of facilitating orderly adjustment to import competition. A trade 

association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of workers or other entity which 

is representative of an industry may file a petition for import relief. When petitioned, the 

Commission is required to determine whether an article is being imported into the 

United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, 

or the threat thereof. to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly 

competitive with the imported article. If the Commission determines in the affirmative. it 

must find the amount of the increase in, or imposition of, any duty or restriction on such 

article which is necessary to prevent or remedy such injury, or recommend the 

provision of adjustment assistance to firms. workers. or communities. Under section 

203, if the President determines to provide import relief for the industry, he shall (1) 

proclaim an increase in, or imposition of, a duty on the article concerned; (2) proclaim a 

tariff-rate quota; (3) impose or modify a quantitative restriction on imports; ( 4) negotiate 

an orderly marketing agreement; or (5) take any combination of such actions. If the 

President does not provide relief in the form recommended by the Commission, the 

Congress can, by approval of a concurrent resolution, override the President's action; 

under section 203(c)(2) the President is then required to implement the Commission's 

recommended relief. 

During fiscal 1977, the Commission completed 12 investigations 

under section 201, all within the 6-month statutory time limit. Table 1 on 

the following page shows information on the investigations completed 

during the year. 

' Public Law 93-618. approved Jan. 3, 1975. 

' 19 u.s.c. 2463. 

·

3 19 U.S.C. 2251. 

5 
Three section 201 investigations were in 

progress at the close of the year, as shown in 

table 2. 

Section 203(i)' of the Trade Act of 197 4 in part provides 

thatUpon request of the President or upon its own motion, 

the Commission shall advise the President of its judgment 

as to the probable economic effect on the industry 

concerned of the extension. reduction, or termination of the 

import relief provided pursuant to this section. 

Upon petition on behalf of the industry concerned, filed 

with the Commission not earlier than the date which is 9 

months, and not later than the date which is 6 months, 

before the date any import relief provided pursuant to this 

section or section 351 or 352 of the Trade Expansion Act of 

• 19 u.s.c. 2253. 

1962 is to terminate by reason of the expiration of the initial 

period therefor, the Commission shall advise the President 

of its judgment as to the probable economic effect on such 

industry of such termination. 

During fiscal year 1977, the Commission, upon 

receipt of a request from the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, conducted investigation No. TA-203-2. On February 14, 1977, the 

Commission advised the President that the 

termination of the annual quotas on imports of 

certain alloy tool steel (bearing steel) would have 

little effect on U.S. producers. The report (USITC 

Publication 805) was released on February 24, 

1977. On June 15, 1977, the President terminated 

the restrictions . 

Table 1.-Summary of investigations completed under sec. 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, fiscal year 1977 

Commissioners' Commission's 

Investigation Articles Petitioner or Petition 

Public Finding of votes report or request No. concerned requester filed hearing Commission USITC 

Affirmative Negative Not To the Publication participating President No. 

TA-201·15 .... Plant hangers ........ Knots To You, Inc. 6·22-76 8-24-76: Negative Minchew 12-22-76 797 

8-31-76 Parker 

Leonard 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

TA-201·16 .... Sugar .......... .... Senate Committee 9-17-76 11· 4-76; Affirmative 1 Parker' Minchew• l-17·77 807 

on Finance. 11-18-76: Leonard' 

11-30-76 Moore' 

Bedell' 

Ablondi' 

TA-201-17 .... Mushrooms . . . . . . . . . Special Representative 9·20·76 11-11-76 -do.' Parker Minchew Bedell' l-IC·77 798 

for Trade Negotiations. and Leonard 

11·12-76 Moore 

Ablondi 

TA-201-18 .... Footwear ..... . . . . . Senate Committee on 9·28-76 12· 7-76: -do.' Minchew 2- 8-77 799 

Finance. 12- 9-76 Parker 

Leonard 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

TA-201-19 .. . Television receivers. (') 9-22-76 1-11-77 -do.• Minchew" 3-22-77 808 

color and monochrome, and Parker" 

assembled or not assem- 1-12-77: Leonard" 

bled, finished or not 1-18-77 Moore" 

finished, and sub- and Bedell" 

assemblies thereof. 1-19-77; Ablondi 12 

1-21-77 

and 

i-22-77 

TA-201-20 .. . Low-carbon ferro- Committee of Producers 1-10-77 4- 5-77 Negative Moore Minchew Parker" 7-11-77 825 

chromium. of Low Carbon Ferro- Bedell 

chrome . Ablondi 

TA-201-21. . . . Cast-iron cooking The Atlanta Stove Works, 1-21-77 4-12-77 -do- Minchew Parker Leonard" 5-24-77 817 ware. Inc., General House- Moore 

wares Corp .. and Bedell 

Lodge Manufacturing Co. Ablondi 

TA-201-22 .. . Fresh cut flowers . . Growers Division of 1-31-77 4-14-77; -do- Minchew Parker" 8- 1-77 827 

the Society of 4-19-77 Moore 

American Florists and Bedell 

& Ornamental Horii· 4-20-77 Ablondi 

culturists. 

TA-201-23 .... Certain headwear ... . . Em pi re State Cloth Hat 2-18-77 5-17-77: -do- Minchew Parker" 8-18-77 829 

& Cap Manufacturing 5-26-77 Moore 

Association and the Bedell 

Unrted Hatters, Cap Ablondi 

& Millinery Workers 

International Union. 

See footnotes at end of table. 

6 
Table 1.-Summary of Investigations completed under sec. 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, fiscal year 1977-Con. 

Investigation 

No. 

Articles. 

concerned 

Petitioner or 

requester 

TA-201·24. .Cast-iron stoves ...... The AHanta Stove Works, 

Inc., Washington Stove 

Works,. United States 

Stove Co., PorHand 

Stove foundry, Inc., and 

TA-201-25 .... Live cattle and 

certain edible 

meat products 

of cattle. 

TA-201-26 .... Malleable cast· 

iron pipe and 

tube fittings. 

Martin Industries, Inc. 

National Association of 

American Meat Promoters, 

the Meat Promoters of 

South Dakota, the Meat 

Promoters of North 

Dakota, the Meat Promoters of Montana, and 

the Meat Promoters of 

Wyoming. 

American Pipe Fittings 

Association. 

Petition 

or request 

filed 

3- 9.77 

3·17-77 

3-29-77 

1 On May 4, 1977, the President announced that he would not accept the Commission's 

recommendations for reduced quotas of U.S. imports of sugar, but announced at the same time 

that he would attempt to provide a payment to farmers of up to 2 cents per pound for sugar that 

they had· produced whenever the market price fell below 13.5 cents per pound. 

' Rei:ommended an annual quota of 4,275,000 short Ions, raw value, to be applied to imports 

of sugars, sirups, and molasses provided for under Tariff Schedules of the United States (TSUS) 

" items 155.20 and 155.30. The proposed quotas would extend for 5 yearS beginning Jan. I, 1977, 

. • and terminate al the end of calendar year 1981. Quota would be administered on a country-by· 

t country basis at the discretion of the President. 

~):'•·. : • Rec<immended an annual quota of 4,400,000shorttons. raw value, to be applied to imports 

Of sugai{'sirups, and molasses provided for under TSUS items 155.20 and 155.30. The quota 

WOuld commence at the time of the Presidential proclamation that would bring the quota into 

. •an~ it would extend for 3 12-month periods thereafter, with the quota year beginning on 

the Presidential proclamation. Commissioners Leonard and Ablondi 

e a global quota, distributed among U.S. importers by the auction of 

licenses. The auction of such licenses would occur from time to time, at 

ecretary of Agriculture, and under such rules as the Secretary of 

se in order to assure an equitable distribution of the licenses. 

annual quota of 4,400,000 short tons, raw value, to extend for 5 calendar 

nning Jan. 1, 1977, and terminating atthe end of calendar year 1981. The proposed 

be administered on a country-by-country basis, with the 1977 quota determined on 

the proportion of imports supplied by each of the sugar-supplying countries during 

~12· 76. Chairman Minchew proposed further that if a country failed to meet its 

orHall would be distributed proportionately among countries which supplied 100 

·air.quotas for that year. 

1977, the President rejected the Commission's decision on grounds of national 

Bedell abstained from voting to avoid any possibility or appearance of 

Commissioners' Commission's 

Public Finding of votes report 

hearing Commission 

Not To the USITC Affirmative Negabve participating President Publication 

No. 

5-19-77 Equally Minchew Bedell Parker" 7.25.77 826 

and divided." Moore Ablondi 

5-20-77 

6-14-77 Negative Parker 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

Minchew" 9-17-77 834 

and 

6-15-77; 

6·28-77 

and 

6·29-77; 

7-12·77; 

7-19-77 

and 

7-20-77 

6-21·77 -doconflict of interest. 

Minchew 

Parker 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

9·29-77 835 

1 On Apr. l, 1977, the President expanded programs of trade adjustment assistance which 

would result in a proposal of legislation within 90 days. Discussions leading to orderly marketing 

arrangements with principal supplying countries: Brazil, Republic of Korea, Republic of China, 

Spain, and Italy. 

' Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO; American Rini Glass Workers Union of North 

America; Allied Industrial Workers of America; Communications Workers of America; Glass Bottle 

Blowers' Association of the United States and Canada; Independent Rad ionic Workers of America; 

International Association of Mach.inists; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; 

International Union of Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers: United Furniture Workers of America; 

United Steelworkers of America; Corning Glass Works; GTE Sylvania Inc.; Owens-Illinois, Inc.; 

Sprague Electric Co.; and Wells-Gardner Eleetronics Corp . 

' President issued proclamation on June 24, 1977. 10 With respect to all articles which were the subject of the investigation. 11 With respect to color television receivers, complete and incomplete. 12 With respect to color television receivers, assembled or not assembled, finished or not 

finished. 13 Vice Chairman Parker did not participate in the vote in this investigation because of illness 

and hospitalization. 

" Commissioner Leonard abstained from voting to avoid any possibility or appearance of 

conflict of interest. 15 On Sept. 22, 1977, the President determined that imports of cast-iron stoves, stove parts, 

and fireplace grates, primarily from the Republic of Korea and the Republic of China, are not 

entering the United States in such quantities as to substantially cause or threaten serious injury 

to domestic producers. Accordingly, import relief was denied under provisions of the Trade Act of 

1974. 

" Chairman Minchew abstained from voting to avoid any possibility or appearance of conflict 

of interest. 

· mmary of investigations under sec. 201 of the 

1974 pending on Sept. 30, 1977 7(~:. 

Litigation Arising Under Section 333 

of the Tariff Act of 1930 in Connection With 

Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 

Petition or 

request 

received Origin 

6-10-77 ....... Petition by United States 

Fastener Manufacturing 

Group, United Steelworkers 

of America, and 

International Association 

of Machinists & 

Aerospace Workers. 

7 • I· 77 . . . . . Petition by Committee 

of Producers of High 

Carbon Ferrochrome. 

S-10-77 .. Petition by E. F. Johnson Co. 

Under section 333 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 

amended (19 U.S.C. 1333), the Commission may 

request U.S. district courts to force compliance 

with Commission orders for firms and persons to 

provide the Commission with information, including answers to questionnaires. Twice in the past 

fiscal year the Commission filed actions for such 

court enforcement through attorneys employed by 

the Commission. Ori January 6, 1977, the Com7 
mission filed a petition for enforcement of Commission orders in the U.S. District Court for the 

District of Columbia against 1 O producers of corn 

sweeteners to compel them to furnish information 

that the Commission considered relevant to an 

investigation it was then conducting under section 

201 of the Trade Act of 197 4 on allegedly 

increased imports of sugar. The district court, 

Judge John H. Pratt presiding, ordered a hearing in 

the matter and on February 8, 1977, entered an 

order granting in part the relief requested by the 

Commission. In an accompanying memorandum 

opinion, Judge Pratt held that the sugar investigation was within the Commission's authority and 

that the demands for information were not too 

indefinite. He held that some of the information was 

reasonably relevant to the Commission's purpose 

and ordered that it be produced, but he also 

determined that other information demanded was 

not reasonably relevant and need not be produced. 

On August 4, 1977, the Commission filed an 

action against two producers of processed 

mushrooms to compel them to answer Commission questionnaires. The suit was voluntarily 

settled and discontinued when the producers 

agreed to supply the information requested. 

East-West Trade Statistics Monitoring System 

Section 4105 of the Trade Act of 197 4 requires the 

Commission to establish and maintain a program to 

monitor trade between the United States and nonmarket 

economy countries. and to publish a detailed summary of 

the data collected under this program not less frequently 

than once every calendar quarter. 

The Commission submitted six reports on 

East-West trade to the Congress and the EastWest Foreign Trade Board in fiscal 1977 pursuant 

to section 41 0 of the Trade Act of 197 4, as follows: 

1. Eighth Quarterly Report to the Congress and the EastWest Foreign Trade Board on Trade Between the 

United States and the Nonmarket Economy 

Countries (December 1976, USITC Publication 

800). 

8 

2. Ninth Report to the Congress and the East-West Foreign 

Trade Board on Trade Between the United States 

and the Nonmarket Economy Countries (March 

1977. USITC Publication 809). 

3. Special Report to the Congress and the East-West 

Foreign Trade Board on Probable Impact on U.S. 

Trade of Granting Most-Favored-Nation Treatment 

to the U.S.S.R. (April 1977, USITC Publication 812). 

4. Special Report to the Congress and the East-West 

Foreign Trade Board on Implications for U.S. Trade 

5 19 u.s.c. 2440. 

·of Granting Most-Favored-Nation Treatment to the 

People's Republic of China (May 1977, USITC 

Publication 816). 

5. Tenth Report to the Congress and the East-West 

Foreign Trade Board on Trade Between the United 

States and the Nonmarket Economy Countries 

(June 1977. USITC Publication 822). 

6. Eleventh Report to the Congress and the East-West 

Foreign Trade Board on Trade Between the United 

States and the Nonmarket Economy Countries 

(September 1977, USITC Publication 836). 

Preliminary Investigations Under Section 6036 

of the Trade Act of 1974 

Two Commission-instituted preliminary investigations were in progress during fiscal year 1977 

to determine whether to institute an investigation 

under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as 

amended. Investigation No. 603-TA-1, relating to 

television receivers from Japan, was instituted by 

the Commission on its own motion on March 26, 

1976. On August 29, 1977, the Commission 

terminated this preliminary investigation. On July 

7, 1977, again on its own motion, the Commission 

instituted investigation No. 603-T A-3 on monumental teak windows from Sweden. The investigation was still in progress at the end of the fiscal 

year. 

TARIFF ACT OF 1930, AS AMENDED 

General Investigations 

The Tariff Act of 1930 empowers the Commis~ 

sion to investigate and report on many aspects of 

U.S. foreign trade. Studies made under section 332 

of that act are usually broader in scope and focus 

than other statutory investigations conducted by 

the Commission. 

Section 3327 of the Tariff Act of 1930 sets forth the 

Commission's authority to investigate, among other 

thingsThe administration and fiscal and industrial effects of the 

customs laws of this country: 

The relationships between rates of duty on raw materials 

and finished or partly finished products; 

The effects of ad valorem and specific duties and of 

compound (specific and ad valorem) duties; 

All questions relative to the arrangement of schedules and 

classification of articles in the several schedules of the 

customs law; 

The operation of customs laws, including their relation to 

the Federal revenues and their effect upon the 

industries and labor of the country: 

6 19 U.S.C. 2482. 

7 19 U.S.C. 1332. 
Table 3.-lnvestigations completed under sec. 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, during fiscal year 1977 

Investigation 

No. 

Subject 

332.79(1): ...... Information for use in determining whether to remove permanent-magnet direct 

current motors from the list of articles eligible for the Generalized System of 

Preferences. 

332.79(2) ........ Information for use in determining whether to remove cast-iron household stoves and 

cast-iron parts of household stoves {including fireplace and stovetop grates) from 

the list of articles eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences. 

332.79(3) ........ Information for use in determimng whether to remove leather wearing apparel from 

. the list of articles eligible for the Generalized System of Preferences. 

332.go .......... Probable economic effect of the provisions of H.R. 14600 and the need to protect a 

domestic industry (watches and parts therefor). 

332.81 ...... : ... President's list of articles which may be. designated as eligible articles for purposes of 

the Generalized System of Preferences. 

332-83 .......... The administration and operation of the customs laws. 

332·86 .......... The fuel efficiency incentive tax proposal: its impact upon the future of the U.S. 

passenger automobile industry. 

332·88 .......... The gas guzzler tax proposal: a comparison of its impact with that of the fuel efficiency 

incentive tax proposal upon the future of the U.S. passenger automobile industry. 

1 Business confidential report transmitted to the President on Dec. 30. 1976. 

2 Business confidential report transmitted to the President on Nov. IO. 1976. 

Origin 

Request from the President . 

-do-

-doRequest from the House Committee 

on Ways and Means. 

Request from the President 

Motion of Commission 

Request from the Senate Committee 

on Finance. 

-doUSITC Publication 

No. Date 

802 February 19771 

803 February 19771 

792 November 1976' 

(~ (') 

(') (') 

820 June 1977 

(') (') 

l'l (') 

•The report was transmitted to the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 30. 1977. and published as a committee print (Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Represent•· 

tives, 95th Cong., !st sess .• June 1977). 

· • Rep<irt submitted to the President in confidence. 

•The report was transmitted to the Senate Committee on Finance on July 15, 1977, and published as a committee print (Committee on Finance. U.S. Senate, 95th Cong., Isl sess., July 

197 ~The report was transmitted to the Senate Committee on Finance on Sept. 2, 1977. and published as a committee print (Committee on Finance. U.S. Senate, 95th Cong., !st sess., Septem· 

.be!.1977) .. 

The tariff relations between the United States and foreign 

, countries, commercial treaties, preferential provisions. 

· ;,(and economic alliances; 

: The effect of export bounties and preferential 

-''.transportation rates; 

~)·.The volume of importations compared with domestic 

~'ftproduction and consumption: and 

::'·(;~i:Jditions, causes, and effects relating to competition of 

(J·:foreign industries with those of the United States . 

• }HtThe Commission is required to make such reports as 

:~y be requested by the President, the House Committee 

·Ways and Means, the Senate Committee on Finance. 

er House of Congress concerning such matters. 

ing fiscal year 1977, six investigations 

section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1 930 were 

-Investigations under sec. 332 of the Tariff 

930, as amended, pending on Sept. 30, 1977 

Subject Origin 

Sec. 608(c)(I) of the Trade 

Act of 1974. 

Request from the President. 

Oo. 

Motion of Comm1ss1on 

Do. 

completed, as shown in table 3 above. Investigations which were in progress at the close of fiscal 

1977 are summarized in table 4. 

Commission-initiated research studies completed during fiscal year 1977 and pending on 

September 30, 1977, are as follows: 

Research subject 

Factors affecting world petroleum 

prices to 1985. 

Softwood lumber consumption: short-range 

predictive models. 

Trade .m vegetable oilseed products 

and fats. 

Study of the effects of GSP on U.S. 

trade in the program's first year 

of operation, 1976. 

World trade in grains. 

A survey and analysis of government· 

owned industries in market economies. 

Tariff •nd nontariff barriers to world 

trade in passenger automobiles. 

Related-party transactions in U.S. 

import trade. 

Study on cost analysis of the Arrangement 

Regarding International Trade 

in Textiles. 

Newsprint consumption: short-range 

predictive model. 

Unfair Trade Practices 

Status 

Completed; USITC Publication 832. 

September 1977. 

Completed; USITC Staff Research 

Study No. 9, August 1977. 

Pending. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do 

Do 

Section 3378 of the Tariff Act of 1930 declares unlawful 

unfair methods of competition and unfair acts in the 

importation of articles into the United States, or in their sale 

by the owner, importer. consignee. or agent of either, the 

effect or tendency of which is to destroy or substantially 

I 19 U.S.C. 1337. 

9 
Table 5.-lnvestlgatlons completed under sec. 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, fiscal year 1977 

Instituted 

Articles Complaint (date and 

concerned Complainant filed No.) 

Certain bismuth molybdale Standard Oil Co. (SOHIO). 5.30.75 10-15-75, 

catalysts. Cleveland, Ohio. 337-TA-20 

Ory wall screws ........... Superior Ory Wall Screw 8-20-75; 11-13-75, 

Mfg. Co., Inc., 10-10-75 337-TA-21 

Landover, Md. (amendment) 

Reclosable plastic bags ..... Minigrip, Inc., 10-20-75 1·15-76, 

Orangeburg, N.Y. 337-TA-22 

Certain color television GTE Sylvania. Inc., and 1-15-76; 4. 1-76, 

receiving sets. Philco Consumer Electronics 5-25-76 337-TA-23 

Corp. (amendment) 

Certain exercising devices . . Rainbow Lifegard Products, 2· 3-76; 4-20-76, 

Inc., El Monte, Calif. 3-25-76 337-TA-24 

(amendment) 

Certain above-ground Coleco Industries, Inc., 2-25-76; 4-29-76, 

swimming pools. Hartford, Conn. 3-25-76 337-TA-26 

(supplement) 

Certain solder removal Solder Removal Co. and 5-10-76 7- 1-76, 

wicks. Jesse C. Hood, 337-TA-26 

Covina, Calif. 

Chicory roo~ crude and R.E. Schanzer Corp., 6-11-76 7-16·7.6, 

prepared, New Orleans, La. 337-TA·27 

Certain knitting machines Marvel Specialty Co., 10- 6-76 11-12-76, 

and throat plates Inc .• Hickory, N.C. 337-TA-28 

therefor. 

1 Commissioners Leonard and Minchew voted to deny complainant's motion in its entirety. 

' By reason of license agreement 

' Commissioner Ablondi dissented in part and concurred in part 

• The President did not act 

Public Finding of 

hearing Commission 

7-19-76 Terminated; no violation.' ••...... 

-do.' 

12·16·76 Violation; permanent exclusion 

order." 7. 5.77 Terminated; consent orders 

entered into. 

3·29-77 Violation; permanent exclusion 

order." 

4. 1-77 Terminated; no violation •••...... 

6-10·77 -do8-30-76 -do-

-doDate 

of 

finding 

10-15·76 

(10-21-76) 

10-29-76 

{11-3-76) 

1·17·77 

(1-24·77) 

7.29.77 

(8· 4-77) 

4-20·77 

{4-25-77) 

4.29.77 

(5- 4-77) 

7- 1-77 

{7- 8-77) 

3-31)-77 

{4- 4-77) 

3-24-77 

{3-30-77) 

USITC 

Publication 

No. 

801 

813 

815 

823 

5 Commissioner Ablondi determined that the amount of bond should be 200 percent of the value of the article concerned, f.o.b. foreign Port 

injure an industry, efficiently and economically operated, in 

the United States, or to prevent the establishment of such 

an industry, or to restrain or monopolize trade and 

commerce in the United States. It authorizes the 

Commission to investigate alleged violations of this section 

of the act. If the Commission determines that there is a 

violation.of section 337, it has the power to issue either an 

order excluding imports from entry into the United States or 

a cease and desist order, subject to disapproval by the 

President for policy reasons within 60 days of the 

Commission's issuance of its finding. Proceedings come 

within the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. 

There is a statutory time limit of 12 months (18 months for 

more complicated cases) in these investigations. 

At the beginning of fiscal 1977, the Commission had eight investigations before it under 

section 337. During the year nine new investigations were instituted, and nine were concluded. 

These investigations are summarized in table 5. 

Investigations pending on September 30, 1977, 

are summarized in table 6. 

Litigation Arising From Investigations 

Conducted Under Section 337 

On June 20, 1977, Coleco Industries, Inc., filed 

an appeal with the U.S. Court of Customs and 

Patent Appeals appealing the Commission's 

decision in investigation No. 337-TA-25 (Certain 

10 

Above-Ground Swimming Pools). This case, 

Coleco Industries, Inc. v. U.S. International Trade 

Commission, Diamond Pools, Branch Brook Co., 

Harrow Stores and Pool City, is now pending 

before the court. 

On August 10, 1977, the Solder Removal Co. 

and Jesse C. Hood filed an appeal with the U.S. 

Court of Customs and Patent Appeals appealing 

the Commission's decision in investigation No. 

337-TA-26 (Certain Solder Removal Wicks). This 

case, Solder Removal Company and Jesse C. 

Hood v. U.S. International Trade Commission, Dip/. 

Ing. Ernest Spirig and Signalarm, Inc. is also 

pending before the court. · 

On November 12, 1976, the U.S. District Court 

for the District of Columbia granted the Commission's motion to dismiss a suit (Meleo Sales, Inc. 

v. U.S. International Trade Commission, et al., 

Civil Action No. 76-1932) brought to review action 

by the Commission in its investigation No. 337-

TA-23 (Certain Color Television Receiving Sets). 

Plaintiffs also sought an order of the court to 

enjoin further proceedings of the Commission in 

its investigation. The court held, inter alia, that it 

lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over the suit; 
Table 6.-lnvestigations under sec. 337 of the TariH Act of 1930, as amended, pending on Sept. 30, 1977 

Articles concerned Complainant 

Certain welded stainless steel pipe Acme Tube, Inc., Allegheny-Ludlum Steel Corp., 

and tube. Armco Steel Corp .. et al. 

Certain display devices for photographs Charles D. Burnes Co .. Boston, Mass .. 

and the like. 

Certain steel toy vehicles . . ........... Tonka Corp., Hopkins. Minn .. 

Certain dot matrix impact printers 

and solenoids. 

Centronics Data Computer Corp., Hudson, N.H. 

Certain light shields for sonar 

apparatus. 

Certain numerically controlled machining 

centers and components thereof. 

Lowrance Electronics, Inc., Tulsa, Okla ..... . 

Burgmaster Division. Houdaille Industries. Inc., 

Los Angeles. Calif. 

Certain molded golf balls . . . . . .. PCR Golf Ball Co .. Inc,, Rocky Hill, N.J. .. 

Certain plastic fastener assemblies . . ... Dennison Manufacturing Co., Framingham, Mass. 

: that the Commission's investigation was not in 

excess of its statutory jurisdiction; that the investi-

: gation was not inconsistent with the foreign affairs 

,. of the United States; and that the Commission had 

··bot taken any action which directly affected any 

T.~ognizable interest of the plaintiff, who had 

~t§fl:liffied injury by reason of the Commission's 

l~is,Cqvery proceedings in Japan. j;'.~}i c;,~\, ~:J> 

'Qn May 12, 1977, the U.S. Court of Customs 

~atent Appeals issued its per curiam decision 

. \ing the motion of the Commission and the 

aard Oil. Co. as appellees to dismiss a 

lidated appeal (Rohm and Haas Co. and 

Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. v. 

tiona/ Trade Commission and Standard Oil 

.onsolidated Appeal Nos. 77-2 and 77-4) 

al Commission action in its investigation 

7-TA-20 (Certain Bismuth Molybdate 

, ts). Appellants, who were respondents in 

eeding before the Commission, sought the 

review of an order terminating the investi-

.which was based upon the alleged 

.,. ent of Standard Oil Co. patents. The court 

t appellants lacked standing to challenge 

fllission order. 

Complaint Instituted Public 

filed {date and No.J hearing 

11·15-77 2-22-77, 

337-TA-29 

1-14-77 2-18-77, 10-31-77 

337-TA-30 

3-11-77; 4-15-77. 

3-24-77 337-TA-31 

and 

3-31-77 

{amendments) 

3-14-77; 4-26-77. 

3-28-77 337-TA-32 

{amendment) 

3-24-77 4-26-77. 

337-TA-33 

4-14-77 5-17-77, 

337-TA-34 

4-14-77 7- 6-77. 

6-13-77 337-TA-35 

{amendment) 

6-30-77 8-11-77, 

7-22-77 337-TA-36 

(amendment) 

ANTIDUMPING ACT, 1921, AS AMENDED 

Provisions of the Antldumping Act 

Section 201 (a)9 of the Antidumping Act, 1921, provides 

that whenever the Secretary of the Treasury advises the 

Commission that a class or kind of foreign merchandise is 

being, or is likely to be, sold in the United States or 

elsewhere at less than its fair value, the Commission shall 

determine within 3 months whether an industry in the 

United States is being or is likely to be injured, or is 

prevented from being established, by reason of the 

importation of such merchandise. At the conclusion of its 

investigation, the Commission notifies the Secretary of the 

Treasury of its determination. If the Commission determines in the affirmative, the Secretary of the Treasury issues a finding of dumping, and the described imports 

become subject to special dumping duties. 

During fiscal 1977, the Commission completed 10 investigations under section 201 (a) of the 

Antidumping Act; 2 others were in progress at the 

end of the year. The Commission's determinations were affirmative in four cases10 and negative 

in six cases. The investigations are summarized in 

table 7 on the following page. 

• 19 U.S.C. 160 et seq. 

•• Under the Anlidumping Act. decisions in which the Commissioners 

voting are evenly divided in their findings are deemed to be in the 

affirmative. 

11 
Table 7.-Antldumplng investigations completed in fiscal year 1977 

Advice Comm1ss1oners' votes Commission's report 

Investigation received Public Finding Not USITC 

No. Articles concerned of Affirmative Negative To Secretary from hearing Publication Commissmn partici· of Treasury Treasury paling No. 

AA1921-159 ...... Tantalum electrolytic fixed capacitors 7-22-76 9. 8-76 Negative Parker Minchew 10-22-76 789 

lrom Japan. and Leonard 

9· 9-76 Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

AA192l·l60 ...... Knitting machines for ladies' seamless hosiery, 8-25-76 10-12-76 -do- Minchew 11-24-76 794 

from Italy. Parker 

Leonard 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

AA1921·161 ...... Portland hydraulic cement from Mexico .... 9. l-76 10-19-76 -do- Minchew 12· 1-76 795 

Parker 

Leonard 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

AA1921-162 ...... Melamine in crystal form from Japan 9-20-76 11· 9-76 Affirmative Parker Minchew 12-20-76 796 

Moore Leonard 

Bedell Ablondi 

AA192l-163 ...... Clear sheet glass from Romania 1-12-77 3. 8-77 Negative Moore Minchew Leonard' 4-12·77 811 

Ablondi Parker 

Bedell 

AA1921-164 . .... Round head sieel drum plugs 3-14·77 5· 3.77 -do- Minchew Leonard' 6-14-77 819 

from Japan. Parker 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

AA1921-165 .. Metal-walled above-ground swimming pools 3-29-77 5-12-77 Affirmative Parker Minchew 6-29-77 821 

from Japan. Moore Ablondi 

Bedell 

AA1921-166 . .... Parts for self:propelled bituminous paving 4. 7.77 5. 4.77 -do- Moore Minchew Parker' 7. 7.77 824 

equipment from Canada. Bedell Ablondi 

AAl921·167 ... Pressure sensitive plastic tape from Italy ... 5-31-77 7-26-77 -do- Parker Minchew 8-31·77 830 

Moore Bedell 

Ablondi 

AA192l·l,68 ...... Pressure s,ensitive plastic tape from 6-14-77 8· 9.77 Negative Minchew 9- 7-77 831 

West Germany. Parker 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

' Commissioner Leonard abstained from voting to avoid any possibility or appearance of conflict of interest. 

' Vice Chairman Parker did not participate in the vote in this investigation because of illness and hospitalization. 

On September 30, 1977, investigations Nos. 

AA 1921-174 and 175, on saccharin from Japan 

and the Republic of Korea, were in progress under 

the Antidumping Act. 

Amendments to the_Antiduinping Act 

The Trade Act of 197 4 amended the Antidumping Act, 

~ 921 , in a number of respects. The Secretary of the 

Treasury is now authorized to forward to the Commission 

any investigations of alleged sales at less than fair value in 

which he believes there is substantial doubt that an industry 

in the United States is being or is likely fo be injured, or is 

prevented from being established, by reason of the 

importation of the subject merchandise. The Commission 

determines, within 30 days, whether there is no reasonable 

indication that an industry is being or is likely to be injured, 

or is prevented from being established. If the Commission 

finds no reasonable indication, it is required to so advise the 

Secretary, and the investigation is then terminated. 

During fiscal 1 977, two such investigations were 

referred to the Commission; one was completed 

12 

during the fiscal year, and one was pending on 

September 30, 1977. They are summarized in 

table 8. 

Litigation Arising From Investigations 

Conducted Under the Antidumplng Act 

As stated in the Commission's annual report 

for 1976, SCM Corp. had sued the Commission in 

the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia 

for an order setting aside a negative Commission 

determination in investigation No. AA 1921-145 

(Portable Electric Typewriters From Japan); the 

suit was dismissed by the district court (404 F 

Supp. 124 ). On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals 

for the District of Columbia reversed the district 

court and remanded the case to it, to retain 

jurisdiction "until SCM has the opportunity to 

press its request tor relief in the Customs Court." 

In the event the Customs Court held that it had no 
Table 8.-Antidumping inquiries completed or pending on Sept. 30, 1977 

Commissioners' votes Commission's report 

Finding that Not finding 

Advice "there is no that "there is 

Investigation Articles received Public reasonable m- no reasonable Not 

No. concerned from hearing dication indication part1ci- To Secretary USITC Pub· 

hcat1on No. Treasury !of injury!" !of injury!" pa ting of Treasury (Treasury ter· (Treasury 

minates its continues its 

investigation) investigation) 

AA192l·lnq.-6 .. Impression fabric 3·10-77 3-28-77 Minchew Parker 4-!!·77 810 

of manmade fiber Leonard 

from Japan. Moore 

Bedell 

Ablond1 

AA1921-lnq.-7 .. Methyl alcohol 9-13-77 10· 3.77 Minchew 10·13-77 837 

from Brazil. Parker 

Moore 

Bedell 

Ablondi 

jurisdiction or no authority to grant adequate relief 

to SCM, the district court was to proceed to reach 

the merits (549 F.2d 812). On April 1, 1977, SCM 

Corp. filed a summons in the Customs Court 

instituting SCM Corp. v. United States. SCM 

)Corp.'s motion for a three-judge court was denied 

}on August 15, 1977; its motion for a determination 

y~,tjy the court as to whether it had jurisdiction was 

l~'.under advisement at the close of the fiscal year. 

;;~;z; : In complaints filed with the Customs Court on 

· .· eptember 26, 1977, and now pending in that 

'ourt, Armstrong Bros. Tool Co. et al. asserted, 

Jer alia, that the negative determinations of the 

p(Timission in investigations Nos. AA 1921-14_1 

renches, Pliers, Screwdrivers, and Metal-

)ing Snips and Shears From Japan) and 

f921-149 (Chisels, Punches, Hammers, 

· ges, Vises, C-Clamps, and Battery Terminal 

· s From Japan) are invalid. Also on Sep-

. ~r 26, 1977, Sprague Electric Co. filed a 

.laint (Sprague Electric Co. v. United States) 

·,ging a Commission negative determina-

~iinvestigation No. AA 1921-159 (Tantalum 

)ytic Fixed Capacitors). At the close of the 

-c· r, the issue had not been joined in any of 

es. 

Jy 6, 1977, an Italian manufacturer and 

gtplastic tape, Manuli Autoadesivi, S.p.A., 

,;_~, subsidiary, an importer of these 

· ed q_complaint in the U.S. District Court 

Jict of Columbia to have declared 

· to enjoin investigation No. AA 1921 -

re Sensitive Plastic Tape From Italy), 

en instituted on June 3, 1977. These 

plaintiffs also sought a preliminary injunction. The 

basis of the action was that the Treasury 

Department had allegedly published its determination of sales at less than fair value some 2 to 9 days 

after the permissible time period for this determination had elapsed. The case came before Chief 

Judge William B. Bryant, who, on motion of the 

Commission (represented by attorneys employed 

by the Commission), dismissed the action on the 

ground that the Customs Court was the proper 

forum to hear such cases, even if that court would 

not entertain a motion to enjoin the Commission's 

investigation while the investigation was in 

process. No appeal was taken from this order. 

In a complaint filed with the Customs Court on 

October 17, 1974, Pasco Terminals, Inc., asserted, 

inter alia, that the injury determination of the 

Commission in investigation No. AA 1921-92 

(Elemental Sulfur From Mexico) was invalid. The 

Customs Court held that Pasco Terminals, Inc., 

had no standing to protest the imposition of 

dumping duties ( 416 F. Supp. 1242 ( 197 4) ). Pasco 

Terminals, Inc., moved for a rehearing of that 

decision, and on December 1 , 1976, the motion for 

rehearing was denied (C.D. 4676). 

In complaints filed with the Customs Court 

during 1973, plaintiffs Atkins Kroll & Co., Inc., and 

Border Brokerage Co., Inc., asserted that the injury 

determinations of the Commission in investigations Nos. AA 1921 -33 (Steel Reinforcing Bars 

From Canada) and AA 1921 -39 (Carbon Steel Bars 

and Shapes From Canada), respectively, were 

invalid. The cases were pending at the close of the 

fiscal year. 

13 
TRADE AGREEMENTS PROGRAM 

The Commission regularly assists the executive branch of the 

Government in work connected with the trade agreements program. 

Assistance is provided to the President primarily through the Office of the 

Special Representative for Trade Negotiations (STR), 1 the executive 

branch center for many trade-agreement activities. Substantial Commission assistance is also given directly to particular executive departments, 

such as the Departments of State, Commerce, Labor, Agriculture, and 

Treasury, which have responsibilities in the program. 

Under section 163(b) of the Trade Act of 197 4, tt-ie Commission is to 

submit a yearly report to Congress on the operation of the trade 

agreements program. The 27th report, covering calendar year 1975, was 

issued in fiscal year 1977. 

The Commission's work as it related to the trade agreements program 

during fiscal 1977 fell into three major areas. The first consisted of 

assembling tariff, commodity, and statistical information in support of 

activities associated with the current round of multilateral trade 

negotiations or the program's daily operation. The second involved 

technical assistance to the STA in work related to the operation of the 

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The third involved technical 

assistance to the STA in conducting the interagency executive branch 

review of certain reports which the Commission submits to the President. 

Multilateral Trade Negotiations 

A seventh round of comprehensive multilateral trade negotiations 

(MTN) under the auspices of the General Agreement on Tariffs and 

Trade (GATT) opened in September 1973. The negotiations were in 

progress in Geneva, Switzerland, throughout the period covered by this 

report. The Commission provided technical assistance to the STA in 

most areas of the negotiations. Computer tabulations on U.S. imports 

were prepared for the U.S. delegation in Geneva. Technical assistance 

was provided regularly to many of the Washington-based task forces 

which provide support for the U.S. delegation, including extensive 

assistance in assembling statistics and other data for the U.S. tariff offers. 

Commission staff and Commissioners participated in Geneva meetings 

of the MTN negotiating groups, and a member of the Commission staff 

was on the permanent U.S. MTN delegation in Geneva. In addition to the 

above activities, the Commission completed several large research 

projects to provide information on topics which the STA had indicated 

would be helpful for conduc~ of the negotiations. 

' The Special Trade Representative is the chief representative of the United States at tradeagreement negotiations. to whom the President has delegated many of his functions under the Trade Act 

of 1974 (Executive Order 11846. Mar. 27. 1975). A member of his staff serves as Chairman olthe Trade 

Policy Staff Committee. which obtains information and advice from Government agencies and other 

sources and recommends policies and actions to the Special Representative. The U.S. International 

Trade Commission is represented on the Trade Policy Staff Committee, but does not vote and does not 

participate in decisions on policy matters because it is the policy research and factfinding agency for 

both Congress and the executive branch. 

0 

I 

15 
The Commission continued to supply the 

GA TT Secretariat in Geneva with compilations of 

data on U.S. imports, tariffs, and trade-agreement 

obligations. Most of this was part of a continuing 

compilation of trade and tariff information to 

provide basic data for the multilateral trade 

negotiations. Since Virtually all international tariff 

and trade work is conducted in terms of the 

product classifications of the Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature (CCCN), formerly 

called the Brussels Tariff Nomenclature, the 

Commission regularly provides the GA TT Secretariat with information on the concordance between the Tariff Schedules of the United States 

(TSUS) and the CCCN. This concordance is 

continuously being updated at the Commission. 

Work required for the regular operation of the 

trade agreements program, apart from MTN 

activities, included, inter alia, preparation of a 

consolidated schedule of U.S. concessions under 

the GATT. 

Generalized System of Preferences 

The Trade Act of 1974 gave the President 

authority to establish a Generalized System of 

Preferences, under which eligible articles that are 

the product of designated beneficiary developing 

countries can be imported into the United States 

free of duty. The Special Trade Representative and 

the Secretary of State are jointly responsible for the 

administration of the GSP. Executive Order 11888 

implemented the GSP effective January 1 . 1976. 

The Executive order has been modified several 

times; some articles were added and some were 

deleted from the list of articles receiving GSP 

treatment. The Commission provided technical 

assistance in the interagency review leading to 

these modifications, as well as assistance in 

preparation of the orders implementing the 

changes. In addition, Commission personnel 

assisted in monitoring GSP imports and did the 

major part of the work entailed in application of the 

"competitive need" criteria set out in section 504 

of the Trade Act. For the third and fourth executive 

branch reviews of the operation of GSP, parts of 

which consisted of public hearings held by the 

Trade Policy Staff Gommittee, the STR was 

supplied technical data on U.S. production of and 

trade in more than 200 articles on which petitions 

16 

had been submitted for a modification of their GSP 

status. 

Executive Branch Review of Commission 

Reports 

Many of the reports which the Commission 

submits to the President under various statutes, 

such as section 201 of the Trade Act of 197 4, 

involve matters on which action by the President 

would affect trade-agreement obligations of the 

United States. Executive branch review of these 

reports for the purpose of formulating executive 

branch recommendations to the President is 

usually centered in the office of the Special Trade 

Representative. The Commission provides technical assistance in the revi:ew process. including 

such supplemental information as may be required. During the period covered by this report 

the Commission submitted five reports to the 

President on investigations which were instituted 

as a result of petitions for import relief under 

section 201 of the Trade Act. These reports 

required eventual action by the President.2 With 

respect to the footwear and color television receiver cases, the Commission provided data to 

assist in negotiations for orderly marketing agreements, aided in the preparation of the President's 

proclamations implementing the agreements, 

and, later, at the request of the President, established a reporting system for monitoring domestic 

production and trade in footwear and color television receivers. A monitoring system was also 

established for mushrooms. 

UNIFORM STATISTICAL DATA ON 

IMPORTS, EXPORTS, AND PRODUCTION 

Activities Under Section 484(e) of the Tariff 

Act of 1930 

Section 608(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 and 

Public Law 95-106 amended section 484(e)3 of 

the Tariff Act of 1930 by providing for comparability of U.S. import, production, and export data, as 

follows: 

' The reports concerned investigations in which a majority of the 

Commission found that a domestic industry was being seriously injured 

by imports. or threatened with serious injury, or in which the Commission was evenly divided on the question of injury The products involved 

were sugar, canned mushrooms. nonrubber footwear. color television 

receivers, and cast-iron stoves and fireplace grates. 

3 19 U.S.C. 1484(e). 
(e) Statistical Enumeration.-The Secretary of the 

Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the United 

States International Trade Commission are authorized and 

directed to establish from time to time for statistical 

purposes an enumeration of articles in such detail as in 

their judgment may be necessary, comprehending all 

merchandise imported into the United States and exported 

from the United States. and shall seek, in conjunction with 

statistical programs for domestic production and 

programs for achieving international harmonization of 

trade statistics, to establish the comparability thereof with 

such enumeration of articles. All import entries and export 

declarations shall include or have attached thereto an 

accurate statement specifying, in terms of such detailed 

enumeration, the kinds and quantities of all merchandise 

imported and exported and the value of the total quantity 

of each kind of article. 

During fiscal year 1977 the Commission staff 

prepared for public comment draft comparability 

tables covering more than 200 subparts in the 

Tariff Schedules of the United States Annotated 

(TSUSA) and in the proposed export schedule, 

. and held about 400 meetings with interested 

, · public and Government representatives to dis-

''· cuss and review the proposals. After publication 

;'/'pf the proposals, Commission staff along with 

~>!'representatives of the Departments of the Treask·;f_ury and Commerce reviewed comments and 

· ggestions from the public and other Governerit agencies for incorporation in the final scheds~ This effort resulted in the preparation and 

'nting of a 1978 edition of Schedule B (the export 

)3dule) based on the TSUSA, the preparation of 

J978 edition of the TSUSA incorporating 

nges providing for greater comparability with 

qrts and production, and changes in the 

),ICt codes based on the Standard Industrial 

' )fication providing for greater comparability 

riports and exports. 

~nized Commodity Code 

suant to section 608(c) of the Trade Act of 

fiscal year 1975 the Commission under-

. investigation under section 332(g) of the 

9t of 1930 which would provide the basis 

-~ immediate participation by the United States 

,nal Trade Commission in the United States 

ion.to technical work of the Harmonized Systems 

mtttee under the Customs Cooperation Council 

th~ .recognition of the needs of the United States 

pomn:iunity in the development of a Harmonized 

e_flecting sound principles of commodity 

lion and_ specification and modern producing 

?nd trading practices .... 

The Commission has participated in the U.S. 

contribution to the technical work of the Harmonized System Committee by preparing comments 

on the parts of the Harmonized Code dealing with 

paper and paper products, footwear, articles of 

nonmetallic minerals, ceramic and glass articles, 

and tools and machinery, and by providing technical assistance to the U.S. delegate to the Harmonized System Committee at Committee sessions. In addition, preliminary work has been done 

on the agriculture chapters of the Harmonized 

Code and chapters dealing with pharmaceutical 

products, cosmetics, soaps and detergents, electrical machinery, and optical, photographic, 

measuring, checking, and other instruments and 

apparatus. In an effort to afford all interested 

parties an opportunity to contribute to the Commission's role in drafting comments on the Harmonized Code, the Gommission held hearings on 

various chapters throughout the year. 

PREPARATION OF THE TARIFF SCHEDULES 

OF THE UNITED STATES ANNOTATED 

The Tariff Schedules of the United States 

Annotated is published periodically by the Commission. The TSUSA contains the classifications 

used for reporting import data by commodity and 

by supplying countries. The schedules delineate 

some 11 ,000 commodity classifications for which 

import statistics are collected. At appropriate 

intervals the TSUSA is updated to reflect the 

effects of legislation, Presidential proclamations 

and Executive orders, and other modifications of 

the schedules. 

During fiscal year 1977 the Commission 

issued supplements 3 through 7 to the 9th (1976) 

edition of the TS USA, and work was started on the 

10th (1978) edition. 

PERIODIC REPORTS ON COMMODITIES 

Synthetic Organic Chemicals 

The Commission has regularly prepared annual and monthly reports on synthetic organic 

chemicals, plastics, and resin materials. The 

annual reports have been published since 1918; 

the monthly production reports evolved from 

studies of hundreds of organic chemicals begun 

during World War I. 

17 
Government uses of these data reportedly 

include trade adjustment assistance by the Department of Labor, planning and investigations by 

the Food and Drug Administration, possible concessions in trade negotiations by the STA, and 

monitoring the economy (particularly the chemical industry) by the Council on Wage and Price 

Stability. The business community, including industry, consultants, and financial analysts, also 

reportedly use these data extensively. 

Annual reports.-The 59th annual report on 

U.S. production and sales of synthetic organic 

chemicals, covering calendar year 1975, was 

released by the Commission on March 7, 1977.4 

Fourteen groups of chemicals were involved: 

Tar and tar crudes 

Crude products from petroleum and natural . gas for 

chemical conversion 

Cyclic intermediates 

Dyes 

Organic pigments 

Medicinal chemicals 

Flavor and perfume materials 

Plastics and resin materials 

Rubber-processing chemicals 

Elastomers (synthetic rubber) 

Plasticizers 

Surface-active agents 

Pesticides and related products 

Miscellaneous cyclic and acyclic organic chemicals. 

Approximately 750 manufacturers report data 

on some 8,000 chemical products to the Commission; these data form the base for the annual 

report. Also included in the annual report is a 

directory of manufacturers for each of the named 

chemicals and chemical products. The data for 

another annual Commission publication, Imports 

of Benzenoid Chemicals and Products, are obtained by analyzing invoices covering most of the 

general imports of benzenoid chemicals. 

Monthly reports.-The monthly production 

reports (Series C/P) add timeliness to the Commission's statistics. A report, containing production data for the selected synthetic organic chemicals, plastics, and resins (trend-setting indicator 

materials), is issued for each month at a date 

approximately 5 weeks after the month covered 

by the report. 

' Synthetic Organic Chemicals, United States Production and Sales. 

1975, USITC Publication 804, 1977. 

18 

Quantitative Determinations 

As required by statute, Executive order, or 

Presidential proclamation, the Commission submitted annual and quarterly reports during fiscal 

1 977 on several products. 

Annual reports were submitted on U.S. consumption of watch movements5 and brooms.6 

On June 27, 1977, the President announced 

that an orderly marketing agreement had been 

negotiated limiting the export of color television 

receivers and certain subassemblies thereof from 

Japan to the United States for a period of 3 years 

beginning July 1, 1977.7 His action followed receipt of the Commission's report concerning color 

television receivers (investigation No. TA-201-

19). The President directed the Commission to 

issue quarterly reports showing monthly data 

obtained from producers on production, shipments, inventories, employment, man-hours, and 

prices, and other economic factors indicative of 

conditions in the U.S. industry. The President also 

directed the Commission to make annual surveys 

to obtain quarterly data on profit and capacity and 

annual data on capital expenditures and research 

and development expenditures from U.S. producers and quarterly data on prices, orders, and 

inventories from importers. During fiscal 1977 the 

Commission issued one quarterly report, which 

covered the fourth quarter of 1976 and the first 

two quarters of 1977. The reports of the first 

annual surveys must be issued by March 31 , 

1978. The quarterly and annual reports are to 

continue for the duration of the orderly marketing 

agreement. 

In 1976, after receiving the Commission's 

report on stainless steel and alloy tool steel 

(investigation No. T A-201-5), the President imposed quantitative restrictions on stainless steel 

and alloy tool steel for a period of 3 years and 

implemented a monitoring program administered 

by the Commission.8 In fiscal year 1977, the 

5 Public Law 89-805 (80 Stat. 1521, 1522); Public Law 89-241 (79 

Stat. 948, 949). 

6 Executive Order 11377 implements headnote 3 to schedule, 7. pt. 8. 

subpt. A, of the TSUS. 

' Presidential Proclamation 4511, June 24, 1977. 

' Presidential Proclamation 4445 implements headnote 2(g)(i) of pt. 

2. subpt. A, of the Appendix to the TSUS. 
commission issued four quarterly reports covering U.S. producers' production, shipments, employment man-hours, and prices. Two annual 

reports were also issued during the year. One 

covered U.S. producers' profit, unshipped orders, 

inventories, capacity, capital expenditures, and 

research and development expenditures; the other covered U.S. importers' prices, unshipped 

orders, and inventories. The quarterly and annual 

reports are to continue for the duration of the 

quantitative restrictions. 

Following receipt of the Commission's report 

on mushrooms (investigation No. TA-201-10), the 

President determined that import relief was not in 

the national economic interest. However, he decided to monitor import competition in the domestic market for canned mushrooms. Accordingly, 

pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 

1930, the President requested the Commission to 

prepare quarterly statistical reports on production, 

sales, imports, exports, and inventories of U.S. 

producers; and apparent domestic consumption 

.· of canned mushrooms. Such reports are to be 

.·•···· .. made until the Commission is notified by the 

Special Representative for Trade Negotiations 

, 'that they are no longer required. The Commission 

''';issued two quarterly reports in fiscal 1977-the 

· ii'st report covered the last two quarters of 1976 

rid the first quarter of 1977, and the second 

~port covered the second quarter of 1977. 

~}After considering the Commission's report on 

f>twear (investigation No. TA-201-18), the Presint decided not to impose the tariff-rate-quota 

·· edy recommended by the Commission for the 

ry .·it found, but rather to negotiate orderly 

rl<eting agreements limiting the export of cerfootwear from the Republic of China and the 

i.Jblic of Korea to the United States. On June 

977, he announced such agreements cover-

~rtain footwear shipped to the United States 

•. e 4 years ending June 30, 1981.9 The 

ent announced that the Commission would 

,c:tuarterly reports showing monthly data on 

,roduction, imports for consumption, apparnsumption, employment, and prices. It 

· lso conduct annual surveys of domestic 

, s with respect to profit, orders, capacity, 

.!ial Proclamation 4510. June 22. 1977, implements head-

•' 2, subpt. A, of the Appendix to the TSUS. 

inventories, prices, capital expenditures, and research and development expenditures, and annual surveys of importers with respect to prices, 

orders, and inventories. The Commission issued 

one quarterly report in fiscal 1977 -the report 

covered 1975, 1976, and January-June 1977-

and must publish by May 31, 1978, the results of 

its first a:nnual surveys of domestic producers and 

importers. The quarterly and annual reports are to 

continue for the duration of the orderly marketing 

agreements. 

Other Periodic Reports 

The following two series of data were initiated 

some years ago because of congressional and 

general interest. Series A will be published annually, in the spring; Series B will be published each 

fall. 

Automotive Trade Statistics, 1964-75, Series B: 

New Passenger Automobiles: Statistical data 

relating to U.S. production, factory sales, retail 

sales, imports, exports, apparent consumption, suggested retail prices, tariff and nontariff 

barriers to trade imposed by the major producing countries, and U.S. bilateral trade balances 

with those countries, USITC Publication 793, 

November 1 976. 

Automotive Trade Statistics, 1964-76, Series A: 

Motor Vehicles: Statistical data relating to U.S. 

factory sales, imports, exports, apparent consumption and U.S. trade balances with Canada and all other countries, USITC Publication 

818, May 1977. 

SUMMARIES OF TRADE AND 

TARIFF INFORMATION 

The Commission periodically publishes a series of summaries of trade and tariff information to 

provide the Congress, the courts, Government 

agencies, foreign governments, industrial institutions, research and trade organizations, and the 

general public with information on each of the 

commodities listed in the Tariff Schedules of the 

United States. 

This series provides comprehensive coverage 

of product uses, manufacturing processes, and 

commercial practices, and includes analysis of 

the numerous factors affecting U.S. and world 

trade in each commodity area. 

19 
In fiscal year 1977 the Commission initiated a 

new series of summaries, which will consist of 

approximately 1 ,000 individual reports published 

in looseleaf form; the Commission will issue 

update sheets as appropriate for individual summaries. The overall program will run several 

years, ultimately covering all items of the TSUS. 

The first summaries in this new series will be 

published in fiscal year 1978. 

ASSISTANCE TO THE CONGRESS 

During fiscal year 1977, an Office of Congressional Liaison was established as a result of the 

Commission's reorganization. Liaison functions 

:v"ith the Congress, State and local governments, 

international organizations, and nonexecutive 

Government agencies were centralized and a 

congressional liaison program initiated so that 

both the Commission and the legislative branch 

are kept informed of trade activities of mutual 

interest. 

Responding to congressional inquiries remained a major activity of the new office: the 

Commission replied to an average of 1 00 written 

requests and 150 oral requests each month. In 

addition, technical assistance on more than 90 

proposed bills was provided, staff specialists 

participated at a number of congressional hearings, and ~ommission representatives personally 

accompanied Members of Congress to their home 

districts for discussions of international trade 

matters of concern to constituents. 

Specific requests from the Senate Finance 

Committee resulted in the institution of two 

investigations under section 332 of the Tariff Act of 

-1930; reports on the investigations, The Fuel 

Efficiency Incentive Tax Proposal: Its Impact Upon 

the Future of the U.S. Passenger Automobile 

Industry (No. 332-86) and The Gas Guzzler Tax 

Proposal: A Comparison of its Impact With That of 

the Fuel Efficiency Incentive Tax Proposal Upon 

the Future of the U.S. Passenger Automobile 

Industry (No. 332-88), were completed and sent to 

the committee in July and September, respectively. An investigation under section 201 of the Trade 

Act of 197 4 on sugar (No. TA-201-16), which had 

been requested by the Finance Committee in fiscal 

1976, was completed and the report thereon sent 

to the President in March 1977. The report on a 

20 

section 332 investigation concerning watches and 

parts therefor (No. 332-80), requested by the 

Committee on Ways and Means in fiscal 1976, was 

completed and sent to the committee in May 1977. 

In addition, congressional support was received 

tor two section 332 investigations which the 

Commission initiated on its own motion: Conditions of Competition in the Western U.S. Steel 

Market Between Certain Domestic and Foreign 

Steel Products (No. 332-87) and Conditions of 

Competition in U.S. Markets Between Domestic 

and Foreign Live Cattle and Cattle Meat Fit for 

Human Consumption (No. 332-85). 

During the year, 36 Members of Congress 

appeared as witnesses or were represented at 

hearings before the Commission, and written 

testimony was received from an even greater 

number. 

GOVERNMENT IN THE SUNSHINE 

In its report Shadow Over the Sunshine Act a 

study of Federal agencies' compliance with the 

Government in the Sunshine Act10 issued October 

12, 1977, Common Cause commented upon the 

Commission's implementation of the provisions of 

the act "[An] agency that appears to have gone 

beyond the literal requirements of the Sunshine 

~ct in several ways in order to affirmatively 

implement the spirit of open government is the U.S. 

International Trade Commission." 

The United States International Trade Commission anticipated the March 12, 1977, effective 

date of the open meetings provisions of the 

Government in the Sunshine Act by opening its 

meetings to public observation on December 13 

1976, and was the first Federal agency to issu~ regulations to implement those provisions. Government "in the sunshine" has affected the 

Commission's operations in three ways: (1) Public 

awareness of the Commission's work has been 

increased; (2) legislative oversight of the Commission's operations has been facilitated; and (3) 

documentation of the Commission's deliberations 

and actions has been greatly improved. 

Several requirements of the Commission's 

Rules of Practice and Procedure go beyond the 

minimum requirements of the act. For instance, 

whereas the Government in the Sunshine Act only 

" 5 U.S.C. 552b. 
requires that a complete recording or transcript of 

closed meetings be maintained by an agency, the 

commission's rules require a complete recording 

or transcript of all Commission meetings, whether 

open or closed to the public. By providing for a 

complete, verbatim transcript or recording of all 

Commission meetings, the deliberations and 

actions of the Commission are accessible to all 

interested persons, whether they happen to be in 

Washington, D.C., or not. 

The Commission's rules also exceed the act's 

minimum requirement of 1 week's advance public notice by providing for 1 0 days' notice in order 

to insure better advance notice of impending 

Commission meetings. The Commission's regulations require the Secretary of the Commission to 

(1) promptly post required public notices on 

bulletin boards outside his office, (2) promptly 

make copies of such notices available to interested members of the public by mailing copies to 

persons on the Commission's "sunshine mailing 

list" and distributing copies to the press, and (3) 

·. · ·'.~immediately submit the required public notices to 

. )he Federal Register for publication. In addition, 

> ¥:staff members in the Secretary's Office are 

· lfavailable by telephone or in person to answer 

~'questions concerning the agenda of impending 

~Commission meetings. In "emergency" situations 

· ·fwhere a meeting has been called on short notice or 

t J:an item has been added to the agenda, the 

:\· :{Secretary's Office attempts to call interested 

f~t!inembers of the public by telephone to insure that 

~'·.~hey are aware of an impending Commission 

kf:trieeting. 

~-;~ Although the act provides several bases for 

if· losing Commission meetings to public observaion, the Commission discusses the great majority 

f subjects in open session. Portions of meetings 

ave been closed to protect individuals from 

Jearly unwarranted invasions of personal privacy 

r to protect the confidentiality of business infor- . ation. 

_Interested members of the public are invited to 

~nd and observe "Government in the sunshine" 

,.!he Commission's meetings, held in room 117, 

1 E Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20436. 

22 COMMISSION FACTFINDING HEARINGS 

HELD IN 17 CITIES 

During fiscal year 1 977 the Commission held 

22 public hearings in 17 cities, in virtually every 

area of the Nation. From ordinary citizen to Government official, witnesses presented testimony 

with a direct relationship to more than a score of 

Commission investigations. These factfinding 

hearings were a conscious effort by the Commission to bring the Government decisionmaking 

process to the interested public. The hearings 

were held in Tampa, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; San 

Francisco, Calif. (two); Atlanta, Ga.; Boise, Idaho; 

Houston, Tex.; Chicago, Ill. (two); New York, N.Y. 

(four); Pittsburgh, Pa.; Birmingham, Ala.; Coral 

Gables, Fla.; Charlotte, N.C.; Los Angeles, Calif.; 

St. Louis, Mo.; Rapid City, S. Oak.; Fort Worth, Tex.; 

and Kansas City, Mo. 

NEW YORK CITY FIELD OFFICE 

While maintaining its headquarters in Washington, D.C., from its earliest days the Commission 

recognized the advisability of operating a field 

office in the Nation's leading center for international commerce-the port of New York and New 

Jersey-which accounts for about 17 percent of 

U.S. trade. Established in 1922, the New York 

facility remains the only Commission office 

functioning outside the Nation's Capital. 

For some 50 years after Congress authorized 

its establishment, the New York ·office had limited 

staff with few functional duties. On January 1, 

1977, the Commission reconstituted and upgraded the unit to a professional-level office. Now 

staffed with a director and trade specialists, it 

represents the Commission in eight States, from 

New Jersey to Maine, a region with an important 

role in international commerce. 

Located in the Customs Building within the 

World Trade Center complex in lower Manhattan, 

the Commission's regional office performs several 

functions. With a staff of seven, including international trade specialists/ economists, customs 

records analysts, and a librarian, the office 

develops and maintains liaison with numerous 

21 
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' .... 

... 

.s i~ • g· 

i -st 

u.~ 

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i 

22 
agencies and organizations at the New York-New 

Jersey port. Included on this long list are the U.S. 

Customs Service. the United Nations, numerous 

consulates. transportation companies and freight 

forwarders, export/ import shippers and manufacturers, and banking representatives. 

From their vantage point at the World Trade 

Center, Commission personnel provide timely 

assessments of developments or trends which 

might affect the work of the Commission. The 

regional office gathers data and supplies technical 

assistance required in the conduct of studies and 

investigations. At the same time, it provides 

information and assistance to the general public, 

the trade community, and various Government 

agencies. Particularly useful is the library which 

the Commission maintains at Suite 629, 6 World 

Trade Center. Serving as the field office's information center, the Library contains Commission 

reports, notices, and press releases, as well as 

selected statistical data, legal documents. commodity classification schedules, and other traderelated publications. 

1WO CENTURIES OF TARIFFS 

RECOUNTED 

In September' 1977, the Commission published 

· Two Centuries of Tariffs: The Background and 

Emergence of the U.S. International Trade Commission. Written by John M. Dobson, associate 

·. professor of history at Iowa State University, Ames, 

Iowa, the 144-page book is a history of U.S. tariff 

policies and the Commission, as well as a history 

of the growth of the United States from a small 

trading country to a world economic power. 

With 18 illustrations, the study examines the 

history of U.S. tariff and international trade policies 

from three perspectives. Part I presents a brief 

review of the major events in the development of 

the U.S. tariff system from Revolutionary times to 

the present. Part II takes a more detailed look at 

several of the major historical tariff issues and the 

controversies these issues engendered. Finally, 

part Ill describes the development and operations 

of the Commission as a participant in the definition 

and administration of tariff and trade policy since 

1916. 

Author Dobson notes in the book's introduction: 

Since the founding of the United States, foreign trade has 

been a vital factor in the Nation's welfare, and never more 

than now, as international interdependence encourages 

international trade on a far vaster and more complex scale. 

As the scope and complexity of U.S. economic relations 

have expanded over the years, so has the need for 

specialized and technical information and analysis that can 

inform those who make U.S. foreign economic policy in the 

executive and legislative branches of Government. For 

over 60 years, the United States Tariff Commission (the 

United States International Trade Commission since 1975) 

has helped to till this need as an independent agency 

dedicated to the conduct of tactual and objective economic 

research in the areas of international trade and economics. 

Copies are for sale at $2.40 each and may be 

obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, 

U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 

20402 (Stock Number 049-000-00043-0). 

23 
2 

4 

3 

24 
5 

8 

Cattle and Beef Hearings Attract Record Crowds 

More than 2,200 people participated in the Commission's public hearings in 

its investigations on imports of and conditions of competition in U.S. markets 

between domestic and foreign live cattle and frozen beef. The Commission held 

five hearings in South Dakota. Texas. New York, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. 

Dozens of cattlemen, farmers, State officials, trade association executives, and 

attorneys representing varying viewpoints testified before the Commission. 

Cattlemen packed the civic center in Rapid City, S. Oak. (1 ), and the National 

Capital's Departmental Auditorium (2) in June and September 1977. In Rapid 

City, Lt. Gov. Harvey Wollman welcomed Commissioners Catherine Bedell, 

Joseph 0. Parker, and ltalo H. Ablondi (3). Typical of procedures at the quasijudicial hearings was the swearing of witnesses (4) such as "boss lady" Joyce 

Robinson, from a ranch at Chouteau, Mont.. who said she has to "think like a man, 

work like a horse, and act like a lady." Commission staff (5) assist Commissioners 

at all hearings and include investigators. analysts, economists, and secretarial 

personnel. In Washington. D.C., Gov. Thomas L. Judge of Montana (6) testified 

with 11 Members of Congress from five States including Representative Berkley 

Bedell, D.-lowa (7), and Senator George McGovern. D.-S. Oak. (8). Photos 1 to 7 

courtesy of Betty Stevens. associate editor. The National Provisioner, Chicago: 

photo 8 by Hal Sundstrom, U.S. International Trade Commission. 

25 
26 
:i:·. 

~j 

L; 

~····· f~ 

~}:!;;~. ~:::"•:L;. · .. ;;;.-. ''""" ''-:.":..:r. ·:·~ ... ;.~·<, .,:i_. _ _. 

~~~/."\ ... ,_·::_,~:·'."'·t~-~' . :-~; : ~ii~: c ' •• '. • ·? '.'"", 

~z us1fo waahingt0n. o.o .• HQirfngs . · ~:;; . : .. ; ' . .. . .. ' ... 

~; ..•. , Commission hear!ngs. . .conducted in tlie Nation's Capital frequently attract 

~;, ~em~t~ of Cong[~l?S and other distinQ.IJished v.isitors. Presenting personal 

~i• l!!slimony.at the Commission's specialty steel. hearings were Senator H John 

~·Heinz; R-Pa. (1), and Representative Doug W!ilgren, 0.-Pa. (2). The United 

~~: 'i<irigdciin·~ C. E. P~rkinson, Member of Par,tiament. center (3), was an attentive 

!;;,:,:~bserver during Commission proceedings. Billboard (4) strategically positioned 

f :.opP<>Sne the Comil'iission buHding dispiays industry rationale calling for ret:;d!Jcecl steel imports. Representatives Mary Rose Oakar, D.-Ohio (5), and John 

•c::s. Anderson, R.-111. (6). testified during the Commission's faclfinding invesliga-

. · lion on fastener imports. Photos by Hal Sundstrom, U.S. International Trade 

Commission. 

«,. 

-'"'· 

~-··-

27 
28 

Office 

of the 

General 

fulnsel 

Finance 

and 

Budget 

UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION 

Office of 

Executive Liaison 

and Special Advisor · for Trade Agreements · ···"·! 

. Office of .. " .:,~.:. 

Adrninistratioli < • · 

Personnel 

COMMISS10N 

Offn:e of 

the Secretaiy 

Office of 

Consumer 

Affairs 

Office of 

legal Services 

Office of 

lnduslries 

"""., ... ,.,. 

Office of the 

Deputy Director 

Office al 

Economic 

Research 

Office of 

Data 

Systems 

Investigative 

Staff 

Office of 

Nomenclature, 

Valuatian, 

and Related 

Activities 
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION 

On September 30, 1977, the U.S. International Trade Commission 

was composed of 5 Commissioners and 348 staff members.1 The chart 

on page 28 depicts the Commission's organization at the end of fiscal 

1977. 

The Secretary serves the Commission in the conduct of its business 

and is an official point of contact, in general, with other Government 

agencies and the public. The Director, Office of Executive Liaison and 

Special Adviser for Trade Agreements, acts as the Commission's liaison 

with the President's Special Representative for Trade Negotiations and 

advises the Commission on trade agreements. The General Counsel is 

the Commission's chief legal officer. The Director, Office of Congressional Liaison, acts as the principal Commission contact with the Senate and 

the House of Representatives. The Director of Operations is in charge of 

carrying out the Commission's day-to-day activities involving investigative duties. The Director of Administration is responsible for support, 

including personnel, finance, services, and production. 

Membership of the Commission 

As provided in the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, the six 

Commissioners of the U.S. International Trade Commission are 

Presidential appointees who are confirmed by the Senate. Their terms 

are 9 years in . length, unless a Commissioner is appointed to fill an 

unexpired term, and they are not eligible for reappointment. Not more 

than three Commissioners may belong to the same political party. The 

Trade Act of 197 4 provides that the Commissioner whose term is next to 

expire shall se{ve as Chairman, and the Commissioner whose term is 

second to expire shall serve as Vice Chairman.2 During most of fiscal 

1977 Daniel fylinchew served as Chairman, and Joseph 0. Parker served 

as Vice Chainnan. 

The following Commissioners served during fiscal year 1977: 

Commissioner Will E. Leonard; Democrat of Louisiana. Mr. Leonard's 

.term expired December 16, 1976.3 

Commissioner Daniel Minchew, Democrat of Georgia. Mr. Minchew's 

term expires June 16, 1978. ' 

Commissioner Joseph 0. Parker, Republican of Virginia. Mr. Parker's 

term expires December 16, 1979. 

Commissioner George M. Moore, Republican of Maryland. Mr. 

Moore's term expires December 16, 1982. 

Commissioner Catherine Bedell, Republican of Washington. Mrs. 

Bedell's term expires June 16, 1984. 

Commissioner ltalo H. Ablondi, Democrat of New York. Mr. Ablondi's 

term expires June 16, 1981. 

Commissioner Bill A/berger, Democrat of Oregon, took office on 

October 20, 1977. Mr. Alberger's term expires December 16, 1985. 

•Temporary employees not included. 

z Public Law 95-106 amends this provision of the Trade Act of 1974 by providing for Presidential 

designation of the Chairman and Vice Chairman for 2-year terms beginning June 17, 1978. 

• Pursuant to sec. 1801 (a)(2) of Public Law 94-455, Commissioner Leonard remained a member of 

the Commission until the effective date of his resignation, June 10, 1977. 

29 
f~ Staff of the Commission at the close of the fiscal year 

(jMWfaJ Counsel ....................................... Russell N. Shewmaker. 

(iif ll;tOf, Office of Executive liaison and Special 

/MJl/f#f for Trade Agreements ......................... William T. Hart. 

§IC(§taiY .............................................. Kenneth A. Mason. 

OffCtOf, Office of Policy/Planning ........................ (Vacancy). 

OfffeiOf, Office of Congressional Liaison .................. Bruce N. Hatton. 

,40mlnl11fative Law Judge ................................ Myron R. Renick. 

OJ(fciOr of Administration ................................ Peter W. Connolly, Acting. 

Chief, Finance and Budget ............................ Edward C. Wallington, Jr. 

Olrector, Personnel .................................. Charles A. Ramsdale. 

Chief, Services ........... , ......... .' ................ Elizabeth K. Kogok. 

Chief, Production .......... , ......................... Kenneth Win, 

l"6Cutlve Director ........................................ Irving I. Raines.1 

01r1ctor ot Operations ................................... (Vacancy). . ·. 

· Deputy Director of Operations (Investigations) .......... Robert A. Cornell .. 

Director, New York Field Office ........................ Walter S. Jrezevant. 

Director, Office of Legal Services ...................... Harold T. Brandt. .• 

Director, Office of Consumer Affairs ................... (Vacancy); . 

Director, Office of Industries .......................... Norris A. Lynch. ·. · 

Chiefs of Divisions: · · · · "" ·-. ·· 

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forest Products .... : ... Edward P: Furlow: 

Minerals and Metals ........................... William E. :wf.ight 

Chemicals and Energy ............... : ......... Aimison Jonnard~ 

Textiles and Apparel .................. : . ....... Reuben Schwartz. 

Machinery and E.quipment' ............ :-~ ......... Charles W . .Oaiker. 

General Manufactures .......................... Selma L. Coble.· 

C)lrector, Office of Economic Research ........... , ..... George N:-Ecldund. 

Olrector, Office of Data Systems .. , .................... Martin Hershkowitz. 

Director, Office of Nomenclature, Valuation, 

and Related Activities ................... : ......... Eugene A: Rosengarden. 

public Information Officer ................................ Harold W. ~_undstrom. 

, •• · 1 Al1h0ugh the duties of Executive Director were transferred to the Director ol Operations and the Director of Administration in the 

111urg11n1za11on of the Commission on Jan. 4, 1.977, Irving I. Raines continued to occupy the position of Executive Director while on 

flllflilln&I staff of Commissioner Moore until Dec. 31, 1977. 

Souto•• of Information EMPLOYMENT AND APPROPRIATIONS 

11 11.wiries should be directed to the specific 

org~n11ational unit or t? ~he Secretary, U.S. 

lntern~tional Trade Comm1ss1on, 701 E Street NW., 

Walt1'1tl91on. D.C. 20436. Phone 202-523-0161 . 

facilities for research by the public are 

loc~t~d in the Office of the Secretary, in the 

Cotnrnission Library, and in the New York Office of 

the LtS. International Trade Commission. 

30 

The Commission carried out an internal 

reorganization during fiscal year 1977 in order to 

permit more effective accomplishment of the 

Commission's increased responsibilities. This 

reorganization provided for fewer personnel 

resources in spite of the heavyworkload following 

implementation of the Trade Act of 1974. In fiscal 

year 1977, average employment, in terms of work-
years, was 385, 3 percent below that of fiscal year 

1976. The following tabulation shows the number 

of permanent full-time officers and employees of 

the U.S. International Trade Commission, by 

organizational units, at the end of fiscal year 1977: 

' 

Position description Sept. 30, 

or activity 1977 

Commissioners . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Ol!ices of the Commissioners . . . . . . . 1 7 

Ol!ice of the Secretary .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 

Ol!ice of Executive Liaison and Special Adviser 

for Trade Agreements . . . . . . . 6 

Ol!ice of the General Counsel . . . 16 

Ql!ice of Congressional Liaison . . . . . . 2 

· Ql!ice of Administrative Law Judge . . . . . 4 

Office of the Director of Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Finance and Budget Division . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. 1 O 

Personnel Division .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 1 O 

Services Division . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 

Produetion Division .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . 16 

Office of the Director of Operations .. . .. . . . . . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . 5 

New York Field Office .. . . . . . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 7 

Investigative Staff . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 24 

Office of Legal Services . . . . .. . . .. .. . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . 13 

Office of Industries . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . . . .. 117 

Office of Economic Research . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Office of Data Systems .. . . . • . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . 33 

Office of Nbmenclature, Valuation. and Related 

Activities , ........•. .- • . . . . • .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . 13 

Total .- ,. , .. : .. .... : . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . . . 348 

· iW'The< U.R International Trade Commission 

sd6mN$Jjs'~~~g~~ io the President for transmittal 

tc:ffti~~edrigres~.'Our:ing fiscal year 1977.. appropriate(f)lliJd~· made~available to the Commission 

··_amounted ii:i$11 ;S40,ooo. ·•Reimbursements receiv~d total~ $1 o,ooo, making available a grand . ,._ .·J(.~;._.,.:· 

·_: ... '". 

total of $11,850,000. Obligations for fiscal years 

1977 and 1976 were as follows: 

Item 

Salaries and personnel benefits .. 

Travel and transportation . 

Rentals and communications service 

Other services .. .. .. .. . 

Printing and reproduction . 

Equipment, supplies. and materials 

Total . 

Fiscal year 

1977 

$8.449.104 

234.043 

1,045,745 

753.799 

88,479 

400.579 

10.971,749 

Fiscal year 

1976 

$7,760.233 

188.547 

893,823 

504.255 

81,380 

433,881 

9,862,119 

Fiscal year 1 977 saw the completion of repairs 

of damage to the historic U.S. International Trade 

Commission Building caused by subway construction.4 While a majority of employees have 

returned to the building from temporary facilities, 

58 employees remain located in the Bicentennial 

Building, at 600 E Street NW. Units located within 

the Bicentennial Building are the Office of the 

Administrative Law Judge, the Office of Economic 

Research, the Director of the Office of Data 

Systems, and the Automatic Data Processing and 

Data Development Divisions. These and possib.ly 

some additional agency offices will be housed at 

other locations for the next several years. 

• The building was built from 1839 to 1869 under the supervision of 

Thomas U. Walter, one of the architects of the Capitol. The Commission 

took up quarters ir\ .the building in 1921 after such occupants as the 

Postmaster General, the General Land Office, the Bureau of Education, 

the National Selective Draft Board, and General John J. Pershing . 

31 
)UMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF THE 

lJNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION, 

rlSCAL YEARS 1974-77 

00 

CJ 

~ 

~ 

C'C 

i+-----.. Executive direction and administration. = 

0 

1975 

Baalc 1"8M8rch; trade agreementa actiY.. 

jties; reports on production and imports 

f----- of Chemical products; summaries of 

trade and tariff information; tariff claasiflcatlon aild enumeration. 

Furnishing Information and technical 

f----- assistance to the Congress, other agencies. and the public. 

In-ligating unfair import practices .,_ ____ under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930; 

miscellaneous studies . 

.._ ____ Investigations under section 332 of the 

Tariff Act of 1930; special studies. 

Investigations under the Trade Expansion ..,_ ____ Act of 1962.and section 201 of the Trade 

Act of 1974. 11.jiiiil•••••••r----Investigation on the probable economic • effects of granting concessions during 

1978 1977 

multilateral trade negotiations or granting 

duty-free treatment through implementation of the Generalized System of Preferences. 

Q.. 

.... 

>< 
REPORTS SUBMITTED ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION 

1. Report on H.R. 422 (Mr. Hughes)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

States with respect to aircraft engines. February 18, 1977, and April 8, 1977. 

2. ReportonH.R.492 (Mr. Lent}-To suspend until the close of January 3, 1979, the 

rate of duty on menadione dimethylprimidionol bisulphite (MPS). April 18, 1977. 

3. Report on H.R. 706 (Mr. White}-To extend from 8 months to 24 months the period in 

which domesticated animals may pasture in foreign countries and be accorded dutyfree status upon reentry into the United States. March 31"; 1977. 

4. Report on H.R;1404 (Mr. Conte)-To provide for duty-free entry of carillon bells for 

Smith College. February 18, 1977, and April 6, 1977. 

5. Report on H.R. 1550 (Mr. Wilson-Tex.)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the 

United States to reduce the customs duty on ceramic insulators used in spark plugs. 

July 26, 1977. 

6. Report on H.R. 1769 (Mr. Koch)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

States to require proof of automobile property and personal liability insurance on 

automobiles imported for personal use of nonresidents and foreign government 

personnel. May 11 , 1977. 

7. Report on H.R. 1904 (Mr. Stark)-To suspend until July 1, 1980, the duty on 

intravenous fat emulsions. March 12, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

8. Report on H.R. 2048 (Mr. Emery)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

States to reduce the duty on fish netting or fish nets of fabric other than cotton or 

vegetable fiber. April 6, 1977. 

9. Report on H.R. 2267(Mr. Annunzio)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

States to increase the duty for a 5-year period on certain hand tools. April 12, 1977. 

10. ReportonH.R.2646 (Mr. Roncalio)-To provide for the duty-free entry of binder 

twine and baler twine made-of manmade fibers. April 12, 1977. 

~11. Report on H.R. 2692 (Mr. Drinan)-To suspend for 2 years the duty on wood 

•• , . excelsiorimported from Canada. April 8, 1977, and July 25, 1977 . 

. , •.... 12. BeportonH.R.2733 (Mrs. Spellman)-To resirict the activities of certain Federal 

.c:c.· ;:. •< .;. employees ar:id officers, to provide private remedies to implement these restrictions, 

•••.•and to facilitate the enforcement of existing conflict of interest statutes. June 14, 1977. 

··.<) 13. Report on H;R. 2849{Mr .. Ottinger)-To suspend for a 3-year period the rate of duty 

.. '··'••> ., ... : 01:imaJ1rfl5S blaf1ks of rubber latex. February 18, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

· .. -,, .. : 14 .. Report on H.R" 2850{Mr. Ottinger)-To suspend for a 3-year period the rate of duty 

.. .. . .·• -.~ ·on-certain latex sheets. April 14, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

... \Js: ReportonH.R. 2982(Mr. Drinan)-To suspend until the close of June 30, 1980, the 

· duty on synJhetic tantalum/columbium concentrates. April 12, 1977, and July 25, 

1977 

, •• 16. Report on H.R.3093 (Mr. Burke-Mass.)-To extend until July 1, 1979, the duty-free 

· ·. treatment on copying lathes used for making rough or finished shoe lasts. March 31 , 

. 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

..... 17. Report on H.R. 3259(Mr. kemp)-To suspend for a temporary period the import duty 

· · on certain horses. February 18, 1977, and April 29, 1977. 

18. Report on tt.R. 3364 (Mr, St. Germain)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

.· . States in order to provide for the duty-free importation of loose glass prisms used in 

chandeliers and wall brackets. February 18, 1977. 

19. Report on H.R. 3373 (Mr. Sikes)-To extend for an· additional temporary period the 

existing suspension of duties on certain classifications of yarns of silk. February 18, 

1977, and July 25, 1977. 

20. Report on H.R. 3387(Mr. Waggonner)-To continue until the close of June 30, 1980, 

the existing suspension of duties on synthetic rutile. April 7, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

21. Report on H.R. 3388 (Mr. Waggonner)-To amend item 603.70 of the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States as they relate to synthetic rutile as a titanium source 

material.April 7, 1977. 

22. Report on H.R. 3674 (Mr. Mathis)-To amend the Tariff Schedules of the United 

States with respect to the rates of duty for palm oil. May 20, 1977. 

23. Report .on H.R. 3790 (Mr. Schulze)-To suspend until the close of June 30, 1980, the 

35 

;. 
duty on concentrate of poppy straw used in producing co· 

deine or morphine. April 8, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

24. Report on H.R. 3928 (Mr. Mikva)-To require Federar 

employees compensated at the rates in effect for GS-13 

and above to disclose each position held by such 

employees during the 3 years preceding and following their 

employment with the Federal Government.June 17, 1977. 

25. Report on H.R. 3946 (Mr. Quie}-To suspend for a 

temporary period the rate of duty on wool not finer than 

46s. April 7, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

26. Report on H.R. 4018 (Mr. Evans-Oel.)-To suspend 

until the close of June 30, 1979, the duty on certain 

doxorubicin hydrochloride antibiotics. April 8, 1977, and 

July 25, 1977. 

27. Report.on H.R.4654 (Mr. Bob Wilson)-To reduce until 

· 1he close of June 30, 1980, the duty on unmounted 

underwater lenses. April 8, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

28. ReportonH.R.4788 (Mr. Yatron)-To permit until June 

· 30, 1980, the duty-free entry of tr~ot and Rasche! warp 

knitting machines. April 14, 1977. 

29. Report on H.R. 5037 (Mr. Kemp)-For the relief of Jack 

.. R Misner. April 8, 1977, and July 25,1977. 

30. Report on H.R. 5044 · (Mr. Bauman)-To suspend until 

January 3, 1980, a portion of the duties on strontium 

nitrate. April 29, 1977. 

31. Report on H.R. 5052 (Mr. Frenzel)-To provide for the 

temporary suspension of duty on color couplers and 

coupler intermediates used in the manufacture of photographic sensitized material. April 29, 1977, and July 26, 

1977. 

32. Report on,H.R.S146 (Mr. McEwen)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States to prqvide tor the duty-free 

entry of competition bobsleds and luges.April 29, 1977, 

and July 26, 1977. · . . : 

33. Report on H.R. 5176(Mr.Corman)-Tolowerthedutyon 

levulose until the close of June 30, 1980. April 18, 1977, 

and July 25, 1977. · 

34. Report on H.R. 5203 (Mr. Mikva)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States in order to suspend until 

the close of December 31, 1978, the duty on certain field 

glasses, opera glasses, binoculars and other telescopes. 

April 21 , 1977. 

35: Report on H.R. 5231 (Mr .. Breckinridge)-To provide for 

the duty-free entry of chlorendic acid. May 5, 1977. 

36. Report on H.R. 5263 (Mr. Rostenkowski)-To suspend 

until the close of June 30, 1979, the duty on certain 

bicycle parts. May 2. 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

37. Report on H.R. 5265(Mr. Rostenkowski)-To provide for 

the temporary suspension of duty on the importation of 

fluorspar. April 29, 1977. 

38. Report oniH.R. 5285 (Mr. Lederer)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States with respect to the tariff 

treatment accorded to films, strips, sheets, and plates of 

certain plastics or rubber. May 5, 1977, and July 26, 1977. 

36 

39. Report on H.R. 5286 (Mr. Lederer)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States with respect to the tariff 

treatment accorded to acetone. May 2, 1977. 

40. Report10n H.R. 52~9 (Mr. GibbOns)-For the relief of Joe 

Cortina. April 18, 1977, and July 25, 1977. 

41. Report on H.R. 5322(Mr. Frenzel)-To provide duty-free 

treatment for istle. April 18, 1977, and July 26, 1977. 

42. Report on H.R. 5551 (Mr. Flowers)-To suspend for a 3-

year period the duty on 2-methyl,4-chlorophenol. April 29, 

1977. 

43. Report on H.R. 5594(Mr. Meeds)-To suspend until the 

close of June 30, 1980, certain duties on calcined petroleum coke not commercially suitable for use as a fuel. April 

29, 1977. 

44. Report on H.R. 5643 (Mr. Mikva)-To implement the 

United Nations Convention on the Means of Prohibiting 

and Preventing the Hlicit Import, Export, and Transfer of 

Ownership of Cultural Property. May 23, 1977. 

45. Report on H.R. 5858 :(Mr.,•Ouie)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States to permit the free entry of 

Canadian petroleum (including reconstituted crude petroleum) .and crude shale •oil. provided that an equMllent 

amount of the same kind.and quality of domestic or dutypaid foreign crude petroleum (including reconstituted 

crude petroleum) and shale oil has been exported to 

Canada. May 9, 1977. · · 

46. Report on H.R. 6283 (Mt. Vanik)-To amend the Trade 

Act of 1974 iri order to authorize the President to designate certain countries in the Western Hemisphere as 

beneficiary ae\le!Oping countries under title v of such act 

. if the President determines that such designations are in 

thenational economic interest. May 11. 1977. 

47 .. Report on fl~. 63ss (Mr. sti.:iiger)-To amend the Trade 

'.Abt Of.1974 in"drder to aUttidrize the President to (,jesig-

. nafe any . ()f certain counttieS as eligible for the tariff 

preferences extended to developing ~ntries under title 

. V of such Act if· the· President determines that SUCh 

designation is in the nation?! econ~ic interest. May 11, 

1977. .. 

48. Report on1H.R. S5ti (Mt.V~nder Jagt)-To amend the 

· Tariff Schedules of the United States to exclude alcOtiolic 

beverages from those articles eligible for duty-free treatment as gift articles imported by nonresidents. Juty 15, 

1977. 

49. Report on H.R. 8149 (Mr. Jones-Okla.}-To provide 

customs procedural reform. July 20, 1977. 

50. Report on H.~. 8755 (Mr. Cotter)-To make specific 

provisions for ball or roller bearing pillow block, Harlge, 

take-up cartridge, and hanger units in the Tariff Schedules 

of the United States. September 19, 1977. 

51. Report on S. 438 (Mr. Stevens)-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States to provide for the duty-free 

entry of competition bobsleds and luges. April 29, 1977. 
52. RePOrt on S. 843 (Mr. Anderson)-To amend the Tariff 

Scf1edules of the United States to permit the free entry of 

cariadian petroleum (including reconstituted crude petroleum) and crude shale oil, provided that an equivalent 

amiount of the same kind and quality of domestic crude 

pek"Oleum and shale oil has been exported to Canada. 

May 16, 1977. 

53. Report on S. 1302 (Mr. Huddelston)-To amend the 

Tariff Schedules of the United States to provide a temporary suspension of the duty of chlorendic acid. May 20, 

1977. 

54. Report on S. 1415 (Mr. Dole)-To amend the Trade Act 

of 197 4 to authorize certain credits or credit guarantees 

for the sale of agricultural products to nonmarket economy countries. September 9, 1977. 

55. Report ·on S. 1519 (Mr. Matsunaga}-To amend the Tariff 

Schedules of the United States in order to suspend until 

the close of December 31, 1978, the duty on certain field 

glasses, opera glasses, binoculars and other telescopes. 

July 25, 1977. 

56. Report on S. 2023 (Mr. Humphrey)-To authorize nonmarket economy countries to participate in certain programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation. September 

16, 1977. 

37 
KEY STATUTES INVOLVING THE 

U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION 

Sec. 201, Trade Act of 1974 (Escape-Clause Investigations), 

Import Relief for Domestic Industries 

When: The Commission conducts investigations upon its own motion 

or upon petition on behalf of a firm, a group of workers, or other entity 

representative of an industry to determine whether an article is being 

imported in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of 

serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the domestic industry producing an 

article like or directly com.petitive with the imported article. 

Duration: The investigation must be completed not later than 6 

months after being instituted. 

finding: If the Commission's finding is affirmative it must recommend a remedy to the President, who has discretion to take action to provide import relief, such as an increase in duties, the establishment of 

quantitative restrictions, the negotiation of orderly marketing agreements, or specified types of adjustment assistance to groups of workers, 

firms, or communities. · 

followup:The Commission reports with respect to developments 

· within .an industry that has been granted import relief and advises the 

President of the probable economic effect of the reduction or the 

· "elimination of· the tariff increase that has been granted. 

. :;~. S~~ ,337, Tariff Act of 1930 

(Investigations of Unfair Practices In Import Trade) 

.j' When: The Commission, after receipt of a complaint under oath from 

~ri interested party or upon its own motion, conducts investigations to 

~· determine wpem~runfair methods of competition or unfair acts are 

·... occurring in th~Jmportation of articles into the United States or in their. , · sale.. . ~~ _ 

... . Duratlon=The irwestigation must be completed ·in no more than 1 year, 

.1 ;or ;18 .f'}10nths in a more complicated case, afier the date of publication of . 

. . notice of Investigation in the Federal Register. 

Finding: If the Commission determines that the importation of such. 

articles is ~uch that the effecfor tendency is to destroy or substantially 

injure an efficiently and economically operated industry, orto prevent the 

establishmentot such an industry, or to restrain or monopolize trade and 

commerce, it may issue orders excluding the articles from entry or issue 

cease and desist orders. The President may disapprove these actions 

within 60 days after issuance of the Cornmission's determination. 

Sec. 201(a), Antldumplng Act, 1921 (Antldumplng 

Investigations), Imports Marketed at Less Than Fair Value 

When: The Commission, after a finding by the Secretary of the 

Treasury that sales of imported articles are at less than fair value, 

conducts investigations to determine whether an industry in the United 

States is being or is likely to be injured, or is prevented from being established, as a result of such sales. 

39 
Duration: The investigation must be completed 

within 3 months of the receipt of advice fromthe 

Department of the Treasury. 

Finding: If the Commission's determination is 

affirmative, the Secretary of the Treasury imposes 

a dumping duty on imports of the articles in 

question. 

Treasury has determined that a bounty or grant is 

being paid, whether an industry in the United 

States is being or is likely to be injured, or is 

prevented from being established, by reason of the 

importation of such article. (Sec. 303, Tariff Act of 

1930; 46 Stat. 687.) 

Uniform Statistical Data 

Sec. 332, Tariff Act of 1930 (General-Purpose 

Investigations) The Commission, in cooperation with the 

Secretary of the Treasury· and the Secretary of 

When: Upon official request or upon its own Commerce, establishes for statistical purposes an 

motion, the Commission initiates a factfinding ·enumeration of articles imported into the United 

investigation on any matter involving tariffs and . States and exported from. the United States, and 

international trade. This broad provision allows.the seeks t() ~.stablish qqmparabflity of such statistics 

Commission to investigate. trade matters· of with staiistioaf progiams for oomestic production. 

immediate concern to the Government and the In conjunction, with. such ,activities, the Compublic., , ·· · · · · · · · .. mission and .ttie,;Secretary .. of Commerce are to 

Duration: Unless otherwise directed, the. identify coneepts' underlying the formulation of an 

Commission establishes an administrative dead- internationai ·coo:lrnoQtty co~ for repqrting tran$-

line. ·· -· actions in intemationai trade and to rep()rt thereon 

Finding: Unless the President or the Congress· .... to ttie '¢ongress.JSBq. 484( e). :ranttAcid. 1930, 19 

directs otherwise, the Commission;s reports ~re. · u.s.q, f 4B4(~); .~fie~ 608, Trade Act of-197 4.) · 

made available to all interested parties, the g.erieral • · 

public, the President and executive departments, 

and the Congress. 

Sec. 22, Agricultural Adjustment Act, lr_nport 

Interference With Agricultural Programs · 

The Commission conducts investigations at 

the direction of the President to determine whether 

any articles are being or are practically certain to 

be imported into the United States under such · 

conditions and in such quantities as to materially 

interfere with programs· of the Department of 

Agriculture for agricultural commodities or products thereof, or to reduce substantially the amount 

of any product processed in the United States from 

such commodities or products, and makes 

findings and recommendations to the President. 

The President may restrict the imports in question 

by imposition of either import fees or quotas. 

OTHER AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT BY 

STATUTE 

Bestowal of Bounties or Grants on Imports 

The Commission determines, with resp.ect to 

any duty-free article on which the Secretary of the 

40 

Tariff Schedules of the United States 

Annotated·, · >; 

. The Commission issues apublicati9!_1 ~ontaining U.S. tariff schedules and rela~~ ni~terial !ind 

considers questions concerning the arrangement 

of such · schedules and the classification of 

articles. (Sec. 201, Tariff Classification Act of 1962, 

76 Stat. 74; secs: 332(a) and 484(e), Tariff Act of 

1930, 19 U.S.C. 1332(a) and 19 U.S.C. 1484(e).) 

Tariff Summaries 

The Commission prepares and publishes, from 

time to time, a series of summaries of trade and 

tariff information. These summaries contain 

descriptions (in terms of the Tariff Schedules of the 

United States) of the thousands of products 

imported into the United States, methods of 

production, and the extent and relative importance 

of U.S. consumption, production, and trade, 

together with certain basic factors affecting the 

competitive position and economic health of 

domestic industries. (Sec. 332, Tariff Act of 1930; 

19 U.S.C. 1332.) 
dvlce Concerning Trade Negotiations 

The Commission advises the President as to 

he probable economic effect on domestic 

nc1ustries and consumers of modification of duties 

nd other barriers to trade which may be 

nsictered for inclusion in any proposed trade 

greernent with foreign countries. (Sec. 131, Trade 

ct of 197 4; 19 U.S.C. 2151.) 

· eneralized System of Preferences 

With respect to articles which may be consided for duty-free treatment when imported from 

signaled developing countries, the Commison advises the President as to the probable 

nomic effect of the removal of duty on the 

estic industry and on consumers. (Secs. 131 

503, Trade Act of 1974;19 U.S.C. 2151, 2163.) 

t-West Trade Monitoring System 

~onitors imports into the 

United States from nonmarket economy countries 

and makes a report not less frequently than once 

each calendar quarter on the effect of such 

imports on the production of like or directly 

competitive articles in the United States and on 

employment within the industry. (Sec. 410, Trade 

Act of 1974; 19 U.S.C. 2440.) 

Trade With Communist Countries 

The Commission makes investigations t-0 

determine whether increased imports of an article 

produced. in a. Co~munist country are causing 

market d1srupt1on m the United States. If the 

Commission's determination is in the affirmative 

the President may take the same action as in ~ 

ca~e involving injury to an industry, except that the 

action would apply only to imports of the article 

from the Communist country. (Sec. 406, Trade Act 

. of 197 4; 19 u.s.c. 2.436.) 

*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978 0-258-293 

41