Notice2024-00999
Apparel: Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to the United States
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 19, 2024
Issuing agencies
International Trade Commission
Abstract
Following receipt on December 20, 2023, of a request from the U.S. Trade Representative (the Trade Representative), under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-602, Apparel: Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to the United States. The Trade Representative requested that the Commission conduct an investigation and prepare a report that examines the export competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, all of which are current leading suppliers to the U.S. market.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3692-3694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00999]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-602]
Apparel: Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to
the United States
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission
ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.
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SUMMARY: Following receipt on December 20, 2023, of a request from the
U.S. Trade Representative (the Trade Representative), under section
332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International Trade
Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-602, Apparel:
Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to the United
States. The Trade Representative requested that the Commission conduct
an investigation and prepare a report that examines the export
competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia,
India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, all of which are current leading
suppliers to the U.S. market.
DATES:
February 21, 2024: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the
public hearing.
February 23, 2024: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and
statements.
February 29, 2024: Deadline for filing electronic copies of oral
hearing statements.
March 7, 2024: Public hearing.
March 22, 2024: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs, statements,
and all other written submissions.
August 30, 2024: Transmittal of Commission report to the Trade
Representative.
ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing
rooms, are located in the U.S. International Trade Commission Building,
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, U.S. 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 <a href="https://edis.usitc.gov">https://edis.usitc.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Alissa Tafti (202-205-
3244 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5a4a9acb6b6a4ebb1a4a3b1ac85b0b6acb1a6eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9afbf6f3e9e9fbb4eefbfceef3daefe9f3eef9b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a>) or Deputy Project Leaders Elizabeth
Howlett (202-205-3458 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5f3a3336253e3d3a2b3771373028333a2b2b1f2a2c362b3c71383029"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="086d646172696a6d7c602660677f646d7c7c487d7b617c6b266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>) and Junie Joseph
(202-205-3363 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#751f001b1c105b1f1a0610051d3500061c01165b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="600a150e09054e0a0f130510082015130914034e070f16">[email protected]</span></a>) for information specific to
this investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this
investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7210001b131c5c131e1e171c3207011b06115c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1938398909fdf909d9d949fb18482988592df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>) or William Gearhart (202-205-3091 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87f0eeebebeee6eaa9e0e2e6f5efe6f5f3c7f2f4eef3e4a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8cfd1d4d4d1d9d596dfddd9cad0d9caccf8cdcbd1ccdb96dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>) of the Commission's Office of the General
Counsel. The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of External
Relations (202-205-3404 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4beb1bababdb2b1a6fab5bab0b6b1a6b394a1a7bda0b7fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="deb4bbb0b0b7b8bbacf0bfb0babcbbacb99eabadb7aabdf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>). Hearing-
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be
obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810.
General information concerning the Commission may be obtained by
accessing its internet address (<a href="https://www.usitc.gov">https://www.usitc.gov</a>). 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: As requested by the Trade Representative, the
Commission has instituted an investigation under section 332(g) of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to provide statistical and
qualitative information on factors underlying the export
competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia,
India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, all of which are current leading
suppliers to the U.S. market. Specifically, the Trade Representative
has requested that the Commission prepare a report that provides:
<bullet> A comparison of the relative U.S. market share of each of
the above-listed
[[Page 3693]]
suppliers currently (up to and including calendar year 2023, if
available) and five (2018) and ten (2013) years ago; and an analysis of
changing patterns in market share and trade including against other top
suppliers, noting any significant shifts;
<bullet> Country-specific profiles of the apparel industries in the
above-listed countries, including an assessment of the export
competitiveness of each country in the U.S. market, using available
statistical and qualitative information and taking into account major
factors of competitiveness, including trade, industry structure, price
and costs, product differentiation, and reliability;
[cir] The profiles should include information on investment,
vertical integration, duty-free access to the U.S. market, wages and
labor productivity, and sourcing of inputs;
<bullet> A review of general literature on the key determinants
driving export competitiveness in the global apparel industry, to the
extent that it is relevant to conditions in the selected countries; and
<bullet> To the degree that additional data relevant to
competitiveness are identified by the review of the literature and are
available, these should be released as a data appendix accompanying the
report.
As requested by the Trade Representative, the Commission will
deliver the report no later than August 30, 2024. The Trade
Representative asked that the Commission not include confidential
business or national security classified information in its report.
However, as detailed below, participants may submit confidential
information to the Commission to inform its understanding of these
issues, and such information will be protected in accordance with the
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Participants are strongly
encouraged to provide any supporting data and information along with
their views.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m., March 7, 2024, in
the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing can also be accessed
remotely using the WebEx videoconference platform. A link to the
hearing will be posted on the Commission's website at <a href="https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html">https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html</a>.
Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed with the
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m., February 21, 2024,
in accordance with the requirements in the ``Written Submissions''
section below. Any requests to appear as a witness via videoconference
must be included with your request to appear. Requests to appear as a
witness via videoconference must include a statement explaining why the
witness cannot appear in person; the Chairman, or other person
designated to conduct the investigation, may at their discretion for
good cause shown, grant such requests. Requests to appear as a witness
via videoconference due to illness or a positive COVID-19 test result
may be submitted by 3 p.m. the business day prior to the hearing.
All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than
5:15 p.m., February 23, 2024. To facilitate the hearing, including the
preparation of an accurate written public transcript of the hearing,
oral testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the
Commission electronically no later than noon, February 29, 2024. All
posthearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 5:15
p.m., March 22, 2024. Posthearing 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 February 21,
2024, 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 as
indicated above for information concerning whether the hearing will be
held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested persons are invited to file written submissions
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be
addressed to the Secretary, and should be received no later than 5:15
p.m., March 22, 2024. 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, posthearing 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 hearing. Do not include any
confidential business information (CBI) 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) Posthearing 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
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filed on behalf of, and (4) whether it contains 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 CBI
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 ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the CBI is
clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions,
except for CBI, will be made available for inspection by interested
persons.
As requested by the Trade Representative, the Commission will not
include any CBI in its report. However, all information, including CBI,
submitted in this investigation may be disclosed to and used by: (i)
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) U.S.
government employees and contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes.
The Commission will not otherwise disclose any CBI 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 March 22, 2024, 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 CBI. 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 where the written
submission can be found.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: January 16, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-00999 Filed 1-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
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