USTR Establishes Petition Process To Review Eligibility of Countries for Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) Benefitsf
February 18, 2003
As required by Congress, the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative has issued a rule establishing a petition process to review the
eligibility of countries for ATPA benefits. The ATPA authorizes the President to
withdraw or suspend the designation of any ATPA beneficiary country, or
withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of preferential treatment under the
ATPA to any article of any such country, if the President determines that the
country is not meeting the respective eligibility criteria of the ATPA. These
criteria include the requirement that the country not take any steps to limit
property or contract rights of U.S. companies. Submit written comments to
Bennett M. Harman, Office of the Americas, Office of the United States Trade
Representative, 600 17th Street, NW., Room 523, Washington DC 20508. Comments
must be received on or before April 7, 2003. Additional information is available
online at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-2705.htm.
The interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is
seeking public comment on the operation and implementation of the World Trade
Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The WTO
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, in which the United States is
represented, is obliged to conclude a review of the Agreement no later than the
end of 2003. The TBT Agreement disciplines the development and application of
standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures to prevent
unnecessary obstacles to international trade. The text of the Agreement is
available online at http://www.wto.org. Written comments are due by noon Friday,
February 28. Submissions may be sent by electronic mail: FR0066@ustr.gov;
submissions by facsimile: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff
Committee, at 202-395-6143. The public is strongly encouraged to submit
documents electronically rather than by facsimile. Additional information,
including the requirements for submissions are available online at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-2356.htm.