ITC reviews duty-free effects of Mexico, Canada imports

The U.S. International Trade Commission has started an investigation into the probable effect of providing duty-free treatment to currently dutiable U.S. imported goods from Canada and Mexico.    The U.S. International Trade Commission has started an investigation into the probable effects of providing duty-free treatment to currently dutiable U.S. imported goods from Canada and Mexico.
   The ITC will consider these imports as applied to the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, including U.S. commitments in the World Trade Organization.
   The commission will also assess the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico of certain agricultural products on U.S. industries producing those same products.
   A public hearing related to the investigation will be held at the ITC’s Washington headquarters on June 20, and written submissions are due to the agency by June 26. The ITC plans to deliver its report, which will be confidential, to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Aug. 26.
   President Donald Trump’s administration last month sent a letter to Congress signaling its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a three-member deal with Canada and Mexico.
   Robert Lighthizer, the White House’s head of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said the administration hopes to renegotiate and “modernize” the deal, rather than scrap it altogether.