[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11222-11223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6133]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-380]


Advice Concerning the Proposed Modification of Duties on Certain 
Information Technology Products and Distilled Spirits

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: March 5, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 27, 1997 of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative, the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-380, Advice Concerning the Proposed Modification 
of Duties on Certain Information Technology Products and Distilled 
Spirits, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)).
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide: (1) Profiles 
of the domestic and foreign information technology and distilled 
spirits industries, including a description of the industry and its 
relative strengths, (2) trends in production, (3) a brief analysis of 
current tariffs, (4) an assessment of patterns of imports and exports, 
and (5) an indication of potential increased market opportunities 
resulting from proposed tariff modifications. As requested, the 
Commission will submit its report to the USTR by April 4, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on general aspects of the study 
may be obtained from John Kitzmiller, Office of Industries (202-205-
3387) or, on legal aspects, from William Gearhart, Office of the 
General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing 
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be 
obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810). A copy of 
this notice and the annex listing the products under consideration can 
be downloaded from the Commission's Internet server (<a href="http://
www.usitc.gov">http://
www.usitc.gov</a>) or may be obtained by contacting the Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, 
Washington, DC, 20436, or at 202-205-1802.

BACKGROUND: At the WTO Ministerial Conference in Singapore in December 
1996, economies representing over 80 percent of world trade in 
information technology products declared their intention to bind and 
eliminate customs duties and other duties and charges on a broad range 
of products. At the same

[[Page 11223]]

time, the United States agreed to eliminate its tariffs on ``white'' 
distilled spirits and accelerate the elimination of tariffs on 
``brown'' distilled spirits.
    Section 111(b) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the Act) 
authorizes the President, subject to the consultation and layover 
requirements of section 115 of the Act, to proclaim further 
modifications of any duty for articles contained in a tariff category 
that was part of the U.S. ``zero-for-zero'' initiative. This authority 
is subject only to the conditions set forth in section 111 which 
include compliance with the consultation and layover provisions of 
section 115 of the URAA. One of the requirements set out in section 115 
is that the President obtain advice regarding the proposed action from 
the Commission. Accordingly, the Commission has been asked, pursuant to 
section 115 of the Act and section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930, to 
provide information and advice concerning the proposed action.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: Interested persons are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the matters to be addressed in the report. All 
written submissions will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured 
of submission to USTR with the report, written statements relating to 
the Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical 
date and should be received no later than March 21, 1997. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, 20436. Persons with 
mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access 
to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-
205-2000.

    By order of the Commission.
    Issued: March 6, 1997.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-6133 Filed 3-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P