ITC Begins 2 Investigations on Expanding ITA Product Coverage to More ICT Products
The International Trade Commission said it launched two investigations on the proposed expansion of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) product coverage. The investigations, requested by the U.S. Trade Representative, will cover a draft list of information and communications technology (ICT) products (here) that could be considered for duty free treatment under the ITA. USTR said that formal ITA negotiations are expected to begin in September 2012.
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The first report, “The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part I” (Inv. No. 332-532), will provide information concerning both the ICT and non-ICT uses of the listed products, the ITC said. It will also identify products that U.S. industry and other interested parties view as import sensitive. The ITC expects to deliver the first report to USTR by Oct 24, 2012. Comments are due by Sept. 6.
The second report, “The Information Technology Agreement: Advice and Information on the Proposed Expansion, Part 2” (Inv. No. 332-536), will identify, for each product, the major producing countries; leading U.S. export markets; leading sources of U.S. imports; and tariffs applied to these products in major markets, the ITC said. The report will also include an overview of key subsectors and, to the extent practicable, examine the benefits to U.S. industry of ITA expansion. The ITC said it expects to deliver the second report to USTR by Feb. 15, 2013. Comments on the second investigation are due by Oct. 31, and a hearing will be held Nov. 8.
See ITC notice of investigation here for more information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions.
(ITA participants agreed in May 2012 to begin negotiations to expand ITA product coverage. See ITT’s Online Archives 12051611 for summary.)