[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65882-65883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26362]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-501]
Textile and Apparel Imports From China: Statistical Reports
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation.
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SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on October 9, 2008, from the
Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives
(Committee) under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1332(g)), the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission)
instituted investigation No. 332-501, Textile and Apparel Imports from
China: Statistical Reports.
DATES: December 1, 2008: Submission of first report, including
compilation of historical data.
Every 2 weeks: Statistical reports sent to the Committee every 2
weeks thereafter and posted on the Commission's Web site.
Annually: Publication of a compilation of monthly Census data.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing
rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission
Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. Any written submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The public record
for this investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic
docket (EDIS) at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project leader Donald Sussman (202-
205-3331 or [email protected]) for information specific to this
investigation. For information on the legal aspects of these
investigations, contact William Gearhart of the Commission's Office of
the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or [email protected]). The
media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations
(202-205-1819 or [email protected]). Hearing-impaired
individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the
Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810. General information
concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). 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.
Background: In its letter the Committee noted that the U.S.-China
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Trade in Textile and
Apparel Products expires on December 31, 2008. The Committee noted that
the United States, in entering into the agreement in November 2005,
sought to provide a more stable and predictable trading environment.
The Committee expressed concern that a market disrupting surge in
textile and apparel imports from China could occur after the MOU
expires.
In order that the Committee might have accurate and timely
information regarding the imports, the Committee requested that the
Commission provide statistical reports every 2 weeks on the volume,
value, unit value, and import market share of certain textile and
apparel imports from China. Specifically, the Committee asked that the
Commission compile these data for each product covered by the MOU at
both the three-digit textile/apparel category level and at the 10-digit
Harmonized Tariff Schedule level for each product within each of the
three-digit textile/apparel categories. The Committee asked that the
Commission, to the extent practicable and within a reasonable time
after data become available, provide the Committee with preliminary
Customs data once every 2 weeks and that the Commission post these
reports on its Web site. The Committee also asked that the Commission
include updated final Census data in the appropriate report when they
become available. The Committee stated that it is not, at this time,
requesting any analysis of the data, but rather is seeking the
statistical data that will allow it to monitor the volume and unit
values of textile and apparel imports from China to determine whether a
more comprehensive investigation is appropriate. The Committee noted
that the data the Commission provides already will have been compiled
and
[[Page 65883]]
available, and said that it is simply asking that they be reported in
the format requested.
As requested by the Committee, the Commission will provide its
first report by December 1, 2008, and this first report will include a
historical compilation of the volume, value, unit value, and import
market share of the articles specified above dating from January 1,
2003, to the most recent month available. As requested, the Commission
will subsequently provide the Committee with reports as the preliminary
and final data become available, and will publish a compilation of
monthly Census data on an annual basis. The Committee asked that the
Commission continue to provide these reports until such time that the
Committee terminates or amends the request.
The Committee has requested that the Commission make its reports
available to the public either on its Web site or in a published
version. Consequently, the reports that the Commission sends to the
Committee and posts on its Web site will not contain any confidential
business information. Any confidential business information received by
the Commission in this investigation and used in preparing its report
will not be published in a manner that would reveal the operations of
the firm supplying the information.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: October 31, 2008.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-26362 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P