Notice2022-06322
U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's Economy and Workers
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Published
March 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
International Trade Commission
Abstract
Following receipt on February 22, 2022, of a request 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, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-590, U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's Economy and Workers. The Committee requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and provide a report on the Haitian economy and U.S.-Haiti preference programs, and also provide several case studies showing the impact of these preference programs on industries of importance to Haiti's economy.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 58 (Friday, March 25, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17101-17103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06322]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-590]
U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's
Economy and Workers
ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.
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SUMMARY: Following receipt on February 22, 2022, of a request 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, the U.S.
International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation
No. 332-590, U.S.-Haiti Trade: Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on
Haiti's Economy and Workers. The Committee requested that the
Commission conduct an investigation and provide a report on the Haitian
economy and U.S.-Haiti preference programs, and also provide several
case studies showing the impact of these preference programs on
industries of importance to Haiti's economy.
DATES:
May 4, 2022: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public
hearing.
May 13, 2022: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and statements.
May 19, 2022: Deadline for filing electronic copies of oral hearing
statements.
May 26, 2022: Public hearing.
June 9, 2022: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs and
statements.
June 23, 2022: Deadline for filing all other written submissions.
December 22, 2022: Transmittal of Commission report to Committee.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices are in the U.S. International Trade
Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. Due to the COVID-
19 pandemic, the Commission's building is currently closed to the
public. Once the building reopens, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Alan Fox
(<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9a8a5a8a7e7afa6b189bcbaa0bdaae7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5938353837773f3621192c2a302d3a773e362f">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-205-3267) or Deputy Project Leader Samantha
Schreiber (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f5c4e424e415b474e015c4c475d4a464d4a5d6f5a5c465b4c01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f083919d919e849891de839398829599929582b08583998493de979f86">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-205-3176) for
information specific to this investigation. For information on the
legal aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the
Commission's Office of the General Counsel (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdcad4d1d1d4dcd093dad8dccfd5dccfc9fdc8ced4c9de93dad2cb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91e6f8fdfdf8f0fcbff6f4f0e3f9f0e3e5d1e4e2f8e5f2bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>
or 202-205-3091). The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of
External Relations (<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92f8f7fcfcfbf4f7e0bcf3fcf6f0f7e0f5d2e7e1fbe6f1bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd1ded5d5d2dddec995dad5dfd9dec9dcfbcec8d2cfd895dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-205-1819).
The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.
General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by
accessing its website (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>). Hearing-impaired
individuals may obtain information on this matter by contacting the
Commission's TDD terminal at 202-205-1810.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As requested by the Committee under section
332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)), the Commission
will include the following in its report:
1. An overview of the Haitian economy, including, to the extent
practicable, employment, nominal, and inflation-adjusted wages, working
conditions, and respect for core labor standards, and U.S. imports from
Haiti, 1980-2021, highlighting key products that are currently exported
and key products that were historically important to Haiti and are
either no longer exported to the United States or are exported in
reduced quantities.
2. A description of the role of U.S. preference programs in shaping
Haiti's economy, including a description of the eligibility
requirements, rules of origin, and scope of product coverage for each
program.
3. An overview of the competitiveness of the Haitian economy,
including, to the extent practicable: A description of the business
environment and trade-facilitating infrastructure in Haiti; a
description of the Haitian workforce, including availability and skill
level of workers, and policies and practices in Haitian labor markets;
and a description of the impact that recent natural disasters and
significant political events
[[Page 17102]]
have had on Haiti's economy and on U.S.-Haiti trade.
4. Case studies for selected goods currently or historically
exported from Haiti (such as apparel, tropical fruits, and sporting
goods, including baseballs, basketballs, and softballs), and to the
extent practicable, identification of products with potential for
increased exports. Each case study should include, to the extent
practicable:
a. Trends in production and exports, including an analysis of the
historical trends, as applicable;
b. A description of the industry in Haiti, including employment,
nominal, and inflation-adjusted wages, and working conditions, and the
industry's position in the supply chain.
The Committee requested that the Commission transmit its report no
later than 10 months following receipt of its request. In its request
letter, the Committee stated that it intends to make the Commission's
report available to the public in its entirety and asked that the
Commission not include any confidential business information.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
investigation will be held via an online videoconferencing platform,
beginning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 26th, 2022. More detailed
information about the hearing, including how to participate, will be
posted on the Commission's website at (<a href="https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm">https://usitc.gov/research_and_analysis/what_we_are_working_on.htm</a>). Once on that web
page, scroll down to Investigation No. 332-590, U.S.-Haiti Trade:
Impact of U.S. Preference Programs on Haiti's Economy and Workers, and
click on the link to ``Hearing Instructions.'' Interested parties
should check the Commission's website periodically for updates.
Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with the
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m. May 4, 2022, in
accordance with the requirements in the ``Written Submissions'' section
below. All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed not later
than 5:15 p.m. May 13, 2022. To facilitate the hearing, including the
preparation of an accurate written transcript of the hearing, oral
testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the
Commission electronically no later than noon, May 19, 2022. All post-
hearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m.
June 9, 2022. Post-hearing briefs and statements should address matters
raised at the hearing. For a description of the different types of
written briefs and statements, see the ``Definitions'' section below.
In the event that, as of the close of business on May 4, 2022, no
witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be
canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer
or nonparticipant should check the Commission website two paragraphs
above for information concerning whether the hearing will be held.
Written submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested parties are invited to file written submissions
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary and should be received not later than 5:15
p.m. June 23, 2022. All written submissions must conform to the
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8), as temporarily amended by 85 FR 15798 (March
19, 2020). Under that rule waiver, the Office of the Secretary will
accept only electronic filings at this time. Filings must be made
through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS,
<a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>). No in-person paper-based filings or paper
copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice.
Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the
Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), or
consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
Definitions of types of documents that may be filed; requirements:
In addition to requests to appear at the hearing, this notice provides
for the possible filing of four types of documents: Prehearing briefs,
oral hearing statements, post-hearing briefs, and other written
submissions.
(1) Prehearing briefs refers to written materials relevant to the
investigation and submitted in advance of the hearing, and includes
written views on matters that are the subject of the investigation,
supporting materials, and any other written materials that you consider
will help the Commission in understanding your views. You should file a
prehearing brief particularly if you plan to testify at the hearing on
behalf of an industry group, company, or other organization, and wish
to provide detailed views or information that will support or
supplement your testimony.
(2) Oral hearing statements (testimony) refers to the actual oral
statement that you intend to present at the public hearing. Do not
include any confidential business information in that statement. If you
plan to testify, you must file a copy of your oral statement by the
date specified in this notice. This statement will allow Commissioners
to understand your position in advance of the hearing and will also
assist the court reporter in preparing an accurate transcript of the
hearing (e.g., names spelled correctly).
(3) Post-hearing briefs refers to submissions filed after the
hearing by persons who appeared at the hearing. Such briefs: (a) Should
be limited to matters that arose during the hearing, (b) should respond
to any Commissioner and staff questions addressed to you at the
hearing, (c) should clarify, amplify, or correct any statements you
made at the hearing, and (d) may, at your option, address or rebut
statements made by other participants in the hearing.
(4) Other written submissions refers to any other written
submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or
updates of information previously provided.
In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) the
document must identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and
title and the type of document filed (i.e., prehearing brief, oral
statement of (name), posthearing brief, or written submission), (2) the
name and signature of the person filing it, (3) the name of the
organization that the submission is filed on behalf of, and (4) whether
it contains confidential business information (CBI). If it contains
CBI, it must comply with the marking and other requirements set out
below in this notice relating to CBI. Submitters of written documents
(other than oral hearing statements) are encouraged to include a short
summary of their position or interest at the beginning of the document,
and a table of contents when the document addresses multiple issues.
Confidential business information: Any submissions that contain
confidential business information must also conform to the requirements
of section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure
(19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of
the document and the individual pages be clearly marked as to whether
they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-confidential'' version, and that
the confidential business information is clearly identified by means of
brackets. All written submissions, except for confidential business
information, will be made available for inspection by interested
parties.
As requested by the Committee, the Commission will not include any
confidential business information in its
[[Page 17103]]
report. However, all information, including confidential business
information, submitted in this investigation may be disclosed to and
used: (i) By the Commission, its employees and Offices, and contract
personnel (a) for developing or maintaining the records of this or a
related proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews,
and evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of
the Commission including under 5 U.S.C. Appendix 3; or (ii) by U.S.
government employees and contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes.
The Commission will not otherwise disclose any confidential business
information in a way that would reveal the operations of the firm
supplying the information.
Summaries of written submissions: Persons wishing to have a summary
of their position included in the report should include a summary with
their written submission on or before June 23, 2022, and should mark
the summary as having been provided for that purpose. The summary
should be clearly marked as ``summary for inclusion in the report'' at
the top of the page. The summary may not exceed 500 words and should
not include any confidential business information. The summary will be
published as provided if it meets these requirements and is germane to
the subject matter of the investigation. The Commission will list the
name of the organization furnishing the summary and will include a link
to the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS) where
the written submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: March 22, 2022.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2022-06322 Filed 3-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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