USTR Seeks Comments on Proposed FTA with Panama
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that the U.S. intends to initiate free trade negotiations with Panama. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/04/03 news, (Ref: 03120425), for BP summary of USTR's press release announcing its Congressional notification of this intention.)
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The USTR's interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) will convene a public hearing and seek public comment to, among other things, provide the USTR advice on how specific goods and services and other matters should be treated under the proposed free trade agreement (FTA).
According to the TPSC, a public hearing will be held in Washington, DC beginning on March 23, 2004 and will continue as necessary on subsequent days. Written comments are due by noon, April 5, 2004.
TSPC Seeks Comments, Testimony on Reduction/Elimination of Tariffs, Etc.
The TPSC states that comments and testimony may address the reduction or elimination of tariffs or non-tariff barriers on any articles provided for in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) that are products of Panama, any concession which should be sought by the U.S., or any other matter relevant to the proposed FTA. The TPSC invites comments and testimony on all of these matters and, in particular, seeks comments and testimony addressing (partial list):
General and commodity-specific negotiating objectives for the proposed FTA;
Economic costs and benefits to U.S. producers and consumers of removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to U.S.-Panama trade; and
Treatment of specific goods under the proposed FTA, including comments on product-specific import or export interests or barriers, etc.
USTR contacts - Gloria Blue (202) 395-3475 (procedural questions)
Andrea Gash (202) 395-6135 (all other questions)
USTR notice (FR Pub 02/24/04) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-3872.pdf