ITC investigates U.S.-Chile FTA origin rules, ag tariff changes

ITC investigates U.S.-Chile FTA origin rules, ag tariff changes The U.S. International Trade Commission will investigate proposed modifications to the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement's rules of origin.
   The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative requested the investigation on Feb. 11.
   The investigation will cover a wide variety of articles, including:
   ' Certain herbs and spices.
   ' Coffee.
   ' Cocoa and cocoa preparations.
   ' Miscellaneous edible preparations.
   ' Products of chemicals and allied industries.
   ' Rubber and related articles.
   ' Natural and cultured pearls.
   ' Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and related parts.
   ' Electrical equipment and related parts.
   ' Optical, medical, measuring, or checking instruments and apparatus.
   The ITC plans to submit its advice to the USTR regarding the proposed origin rule changes by Oct. 31.
   In addition, the USTR asked the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, fact-finding federal agency, to investigate the economic effects of the proposed accelerated elimination of tariffs under the U.S.-Chile FTA for certain vegetables and grape juice from Chile.
   The investigation will cover:
   ' Frozen beans, spinach, sweet corn, miscellaneous other frozen vegetables, and frozen mixtures of vegetables.
   ' Canned artichokes.
   ' Other grape juice including grape must.
   If enacted, duties on these goods would be eliminated by early January 2009.
   The ITC will submit its confidential advice from this investigation to the USTR by May 22.
   For both investigations, the ITC will hold no public hearings, but will accept written input from the industry. For more information about either investigation, access the ITC Web site at www.usitc.gov.