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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS

Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements

NOTICE: NOTICES

DOCUMENT ACTION: Request for Public Comments concerning a request for modification of the NAFTA rules of origin for warp pile fabric made from solution dyed, wet spun acrylic fiber.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Request for Public Comment on Short Supply Petition Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: On January 14, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, alleging that certain solution dyed, wet spun acrylic fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, classified under subheading 5503.30 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for warp pile fabrics, classified under HTSUS subheading 5801.35, should be modified to allow the use of nonNorth American solution dyed, wet spun acrylic fiber. The President may proclaim a modification to the NAFTA rules of origin only after reaching an agreement with the other NAFTA countries on the modification. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular with regard to whether solution dyed, wet spun acrylic fiber of HTSUS subheading 5503.30 can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted by February 25, 2008 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

SUMMARY: North American Free Trade Agreement; Short Supply Petition,

DOCUMENT BODY 2: January 18, 2008.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Authority: Section 204 of the Agricultural Act of 1956, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1854); Section 202(q) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3332(q)); Executive Order 11651 of March 3, 1972, as amended.

Background: Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), NAFTA countries are required to eliminate customs duties on textile and apparel goods that qualify as originating goods under the NAFTA rules of origin, which are set out in Annex 401 to the NAFTA. The NAFTA provides that the rules of origin for textile and apparel products may be amended through a subsequent agreement by the NAFTA countries. See Section 202(q) of the NAFTA Implementation Act. In consultations regarding such a change, the NAFTA countries are to consider issues of availability of supply of fibers, yarns, or fabrics in the free trade area and whether domestic producers are capable of supplying commercial quantities of the good in a timely manner. The Statement of Administrative Action (SAA) that accompanied the NAFTA Implementation Act stated that any interested person may submit to CITA a request for a modification to a particular rule of origin based on a change in the availability in North America of a particular fiber, yarn or fabric and that the requesting party would bear the burden of demonstrating that a change is warranted. NAFTA Implementation Act, SAA, H. Doc. 103159, Vol. 1, at 491 (1993). The SAA provides that CITA may make a recommendation to the President regarding a change to a rule of origin for a textile or apparel good. SAA at 491. The NAFTA Implementation Act provides the President with the authority to proclaim modifications to the NAFTA rules of origin as are necessary to implement an agreement with one or more NAFTA country on such a modification. See section 202(q) of the NAFTA Implementation Act.

On January 14, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request from Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, alleging that certain acrylic fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, classified under subheading 5503.30 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting that CITA consider whether the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rule of origin for warp pile fabrics, classified under HTSUS subheading 5801.35, should be modified to allow the use of nonNorth American acrylic fiber.

CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, particularly with respect to whether the solution dyed, wet spun acrylic fiber described above can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be received no later than February 25, 2008. Interested persons are invited to submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3100, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

If a comment alleges that these acrylic staple fibers can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed statement by a manufacturer stating that it produces fiber that is the subject of the request, including the quantities that can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well as any relevant information regarding past production.

CITA will protect any business confidential information that is marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non confidential versions of the request and nonconfidential versions of any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3001 in the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are encouraged to include a nonconfidential version and a nonconfidential summary.
R. Matthew Priest,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. [FR Doc. E81269 Filed 12408; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510DSP

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Maria Dybczak, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 4823651.

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