International Trade Law News

The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking input on a newly initiated investigation concerning proposed modifications to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rules of origin. The investigation, Probable Effect of Certain Modifications to the NAFTA Rules of Origin (Inv. No. NAFTA-103-14), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on March 20, 2006. The ITC will provide advice to the USTR on the probable effect of the proposed NAFTA rules of origin modifications on U.S. trade and on domestic producers of the affected articles.

This investigation covers a wide variety of articles, including fish and crustaceans; herbs and spices; fish oils; food preparations; oil and petroleum products; leather; aluminum; diesel engines; turbines; valves; electric motors, transformers and generators; batteries; apparatus for radio telephony; turntables and cassette players; alarms; rail locomotives and parts; medical appliances and parts; lighters; instruments to control or measure and others. Details can be obtained from the attachment to the USTR's request letter, which can be found on the ITC's electronic document information system (EDIS).

The ITC is seeking written input for this investigation from interested parties. Written comments should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436 and should be submitted no later than 5:15 p.m. on June 2, 2006. The ITC expects to submit its advice to the USTR by August 14, 2006.